Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder may have put on one of the greatest trilogies in heavyweight boxing history, but the lasting impact of their wars continues to echo beyond the ring. Now, ‘The Gypsy King’ believes it’s time for his former foe to walk away from the sport for good, a sentiment that has gained more traction following a tumultuous period in Wilder’s career, despite recent efforts to regain momentum.
The pair met three times between 2018 and 2021, delivering a combined ten knockdowns, two knockout victories for Fury, and unforgettable drama that captivated boxing fans around the world. Their first encounter in December 2018 ended in a controversial split draw, most famously remembered for Fury’s miraculous recovery from a devastating 12th-round knockdown. The rematch in February 2020 saw Fury dominate, securing a seventh-round TKO victory and handing Wilder his first professional loss. The epic conclusion in October 2021 was a back-and-forth war where both fighters hit the canvas multiple times before Fury ultimately delivered an 11th-round knockout.
But with Wilder losing his latest two fights to Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker, Fury has voiced his belief that the American is no longer the fighter he once was. The original article, published on April 20, 2025, mentioned Wilder’s upcoming return against Tyrrell Herndon. That fight has since occurred, along with another significant bout, further shaping Wilder’s recent trajectory.
Wilder’s Post-Trilogy Struggles and Setbacks
Following the grueling trilogy with Fury, Deontay Wilder initially returned to the ring with a signature first-round knockout victory over Robert Helenius in October 2022. This win seemed to signal a potential resurgence for “The Bronze Bomber,” who had amassed an impressive professional record of 45 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, with 43 of those wins coming by knockout, boasting a 96% knockout ratio.
However, Wilder’s subsequent outings proved challenging. On December 23, 2023, he faced Joseph Parker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In a performance that surprised many, Parker dominated Wilder, winning by unanimous decision with scorecards reading 118-111, 118-110, and 120-108. Wilder was largely inactive throughout the bout, landing only 39 punches over 12 rounds, averaging a mere 17 punches thrown and 3 landed per round, according to CompuBox. Parker, who had reportedly trained with Tyson Fury for the fight, effectively neutralized Wilder’s vaunted right hand. This defeat was a significant setback, derailing tentative plans for a highly anticipated clash between Wilder and Anthony Joshua in early 2024.
The struggles continued on June 1, 2024, when Wilder returned to Riyadh to face Zhilei Zhang. In a disappointing showing, Wilder was stopped by Zhang via TKO in the fifth round. Zhang landed a sweeping right hook that visibly stunned Wilder, followed by a second right hand that sent him to the canvas. Although Wilder beat the referee’s count, his unsteady legs led to the fight being waved off at 1:51 of Round 5. Wilder appeared reluctant to engage and unleash his power in this fight, mirroring some of the tentativeness observed against Parker.
A Brief Resurgence and Continued Challenges
Despite these back-to-back losses, Wilder was determined to continue his career. As mentioned in the original article, he was scheduled to fight Tyrrell Herndon. This bout took place on June 27, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas. Wilder secured a seventh-round TKO victory over Herndon, ending his two-fight losing streak. He scored two knockdowns in the fight, with the final stoppage coming at 2:15 of Round 7 after a left hook-right hand combination. While some observers questioned the timing of the referee’s stoppage, Herndon had been taking considerable punishment. After the fight, Wilder expressed his relief and determination, stating, “It felt great. Thanks to my opponent, man, you’re a tough guy. I appreciate the work. … I had a lot, I was laid up a long time getting myself back together, and it’s been a long road for me. I’m just glad to be back in the ring, you know. This is a new beginning for me.”
However, Wilder’s path to the top of the heavyweight division remained challenging. His most recent fight, on April 4, 2026, saw him face veteran Derek Chisora. In a closely contested bout, Wilder secured a split decision victory over 12 rounds at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, United Kingdom. This win marked his second consecutive victory after the Herndon fight, suggesting a slow but steady rebuilding phase for the former champion.
Tyson Fury Wants Deontay Wilder to Retire
Speaking on Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Fury said:
“Being truthful, I’d like to see poor old Deontay retire from boxing. Since that trilogy we had, we took a lot of years out of each other’s lives. That war we had, which ended in the 11th round by knockout, that takes a lot out of your tank—and you don’t recover from fights like that. Between mine and Wilder’s trilogy, there were ten knockdowns.”
Since that third and final fight, Wilder has struggled to recapture his former menace, and has now won just one of his last five fights prior to the Herndon and Chisora victories. Fury’s concerns stem from the visible decline in Wilder’s performances against top-tier opposition, particularly his reluctance to throw his signature right hand with the same frequency and conviction seen in earlier fights. The losses to Parker and Zhang highlighted a fighter who, while still possessing immense power, seemed hesitant to fully commit to his offensive arsenal.
“The only thing that’s the same about Deontay is his name,” Fury added.
“I’d like to see him retire for sure before he does damage to himself.”
Implications for the Heavyweight Division
Despite Fury’s calls for retirement, Wilder himself has dismissed such notions. Following his brutal knockout loss to Zhilei Zhang, Wilder stated, “After the Zhang fight, I finally realised what was going on with me and I immediately took action. I called Shelly, who is my manager, I said ‘Shelly, I know what it is now’, we shared some deep thoughts that night and I immediately got help for it. In my mind, retirement was never there because I knew I wasn’t finished.” This suggests a fighter still driven by ambition and a belief in his own capabilities, even after facing significant setbacks.
Wilder’s recent wins against Herndon and Chisora, while not against elite competition, indicate his determination to remain active and attempt a climb back into contention. However, the manner of his losses to Parker and Zhang, where he appeared hesitant and less explosive, raises questions about his ability to compete with the current crop of top heavyweights. The division has seen a shift, with new contenders emerging and established champions like Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury dominating the landscape. For Wilder to return to world title contention, he would likely need to demonstrate more convincing performances against higher-ranked opponents. While his thunderous right hand remains a threat, the cumulative effect of his wars, as Fury suggests, may indeed be taking its toll on “The Bronze Bomber.”
