Digest of the Article in the Distinctive Voice of Matthew McConaughey
Deontay Wilder, the former heavyweight champion, has opened up about how his double defeat to Tyson Fury nearly pushed him to retire from boxing and become a full-time father to his eight children. The devastating knockout losses in 2020 and 2021 left Wilder feeling lost, but he ultimately found solace and purpose in his family.
A Worrying Spiral
The 38-year-old Wilder, standing at 6ft 7in, is the proud father of eight children. However, the back-to-back defeats to Fury took a toll on him, both physically and mentally. The once-promising boxer admitted that he considered retiring from the sport to focus on raising his kids.
A Rags-to-Riches Story
Wilder's journey from a former Budweiser delivery driver to a world-class boxer is nothing short of remarkable. He initially turned to boxing to support his daughter Naieya, who was born with spina bifida in 2005. However, the recent losses to Fury shook his confidence and made him question his future in the sport.
Finding Joy in Family
While Wilder is now in a better place mentally, he revealed that he found solace in spending more time with his children. The devoted father enjoyed watching his youngest kids grow and creating lasting memories with them through camping trips and adventures.
Dreaming of a Dozen
Despite the challenges of raising eight children, Wilder has his sights set on expanding his family even further. He expressed his desire to have twelve children in total, although he humorously acknowledged that finding the right women to make that happen might be a bit tricky.
The Future of Boxing
Looking ahead, Wilder is focused on his upcoming fight against Joseph Parker, which could potentially lead to a highly anticipated bout with Anthony Joshua on March 9. Wilder believes that Joshua has run out of options and that a showdown between the two is inevitable.
According to Wilder, Joshua's management and promoters will not be able to prevent the fight from happening, as the demand from fans is too strong. Wilder is confident that he can defeat Parker and hopes that Joshua will come out victorious against Otto Wallin in their respective semi-final matches.
With Wilder's determination and drive to reclaim his title, the boxing world eagerly awaits the potential clash between the two heavyweight giants.
