Former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has vowed to come back to the sport of boxing despite back-to-back defeats to Tyson Fury.
The powerful, hard-hitting American expressed his intentions to return to the division, saying he "can't end it like this" after he was beaten by the current undefeated champion who knocked Wilder down in the 10th and 11th round of their trilogy fight. Wilder's two blemishes on his impressive record came at the hands of the Gypsy King.
After winning his first WBC heavyweight title in 2015 after beating Bermane Stiverne on points, he went on to successfully defend his belt on 10 different occasions. The Bronze Bomber has remained quiet on his future following his second defeat in as many fights but he has now hit back.
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At the unveiling of his statue in his hometown of Tuscaloosa in Alabama, he said: "This moment of time, my goodness. In the midst of this journey, I’m being blessed.
"It’s not like I’m retired and it’s been ten, twenty years. This is now that I’m getting my flowers.
"I can’t stop right now. I must continue with my journey. love you guys so much. I can’t end it like this. This journey’s not over with. I must continue my journey."
He added: "I've been highly requested. So many people have told me 'Come back, come back.' I'd say I'm back by popular demand.
"And the business of boxing needs me. When there's a thriving American champion, there's nothing like it.
"When there's not, you see it's dead. There's a drought in [the sport]. People know the difference now."
