Deontay Wilder urged to return soon as trio circle two heavyweight belts
ryan hafey
Deontay Wilder could lose a shot at the World Boxing Council heavyweight title if he doesn’t clarify his intentions soon.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ is number one in the WBC rankings as Tyson Fury prepares to give up the bracelet due to his retirement promise.
Fury’s intentions put Wilder in a prime position to fight for the vacant title against Frank Sanchez over the summer.
Sanchez is ranked number four and is the only challenger available who shares the same promotional company as Wilder.
Premier boxing champions are known for keeping things in-house. Therefore, Wilder as number one and Sanchez at four would be the main contenders for the green and gold bracelet.
Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker, ranked number two and three, will face off this summer. This impending collision means Wilder needs to move fast.
If he doesn’t, Joyce vs. Parker will jump the queue and be sanctioned for the WBC title once Fury drops the belt.
Franck Sanchez
If Wilder doesn’t come to the table, Sanchez would miss out and should focus on battling Joyce’s winner against Parker. However, his manager Mike Borao thinks a WBO shot could be more likely than a WBC chance for Sanchez, Joyce and Parker – with or without Deontay Wilder.
“I really believe that ultimately Frank will fight the winner of Joyce and Parker for a vacant WBO title,” Borao told Sky Sports.
“I don’t think Joyce or Parker are big enough names to attract Usyk’s eventual winner against Joshua. Frank will therefore likely land on the winner of this fight for his first world title,” he added.
Borao says Tyson Fury would likely rescind his previous promise to free up the WBC title in his possession.
“Fury is the ultimate salesman. Who knows if Tyson will really retire?
“Anyway, I don’t think WBC is going to jump in and undress him immediately. So I think Frank’s question about WBC still has time to marinate.
“The WBO route is much more likely for early 2023, in my opinion. One thing is for sure; Frank Sanchez is well placed.
“He could fight and win a world title in 2023,” Borao concluded.
DEONTAY WILDEST
No mention of Wilder by Borao seems to indicate that no one expects the former WBC executive to make a comeback anytime soon.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman seems to think Wilder will fight again soon. It’s just a matter of when.
If Fury keeps his strap, however, and the WBO becomes vacant before the WBC, Wilder won’t hold any aces because the organization isn’t rating him.
The only way back for Wilder is with the WBC. His future championship hopes apparently rest in Fury’s hands.
‘The Gypsy King’ recently shared his view that Deontay Wilder should have a chance once he loosens his grip on the title.
The opinions expressed in this article are the opinions of Phil Jay.
Phil, editor of WBN, has over ten years experience in boxing news. Follow us on WBN on Twitter @WorldBoxingNews.