Deontay Wilder told to retire immediately despite comeback win

Boxing legend Carl Froch has urged former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder to retire despite his successful comeback.

The 'Bronze Bomber' picked up his first win since 2022 last week after knocking out heavyweight journeyman Tyrrell Herndon. Prior to the win, the American had suffered back-to-back defeats by Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker.

Since his three battles with Tyson Fury, Wilder has looked a shadow of his former self, failing to replicate his historic championship run that saw him win and defend the WBC heavyweight title between 2015 and 2018. After his disastrous last few years in the sport, many have questioned what more Wilder has left to give in the sport.

Speaking on his , former world champion Froch was quick to share his views on Wilder's performance against Herndon on Friday night. The British boxing legend describe the fight as ‘tune-up’ fight for Wilder and says he thinks ‘Herndon showed up to get beat up.’

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“What’s next for him [Wilder]? Has he got a career left? I just think that, I mean he’s lost four of his last six fights… After that, you just think to yourself, he’s finished," said Froch before adding: "It’s all smoke and mirrors now. Everyone thinks he’s back with that big punch, and they want to see him get in there… It would be nice to see him now probably hang his gloves up.”

Despite insisting Wilder should retire, Froch went on to name some potential future opponents for the 39-year-old. “You got Fabio Wardley, Dave Allen, Derek Chisora, they’re all fights now that would be exciting for this mix of heavyweights.” Froch also name-dropped Anthony Joshua - but feels that ‘AJ’ should retire. “I think he’s made enough money, I think he’s been great for the sport… But in my opinion, AJ should finish," he said.

On the topic of a potential clash between 'AJ' and Wilder, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn recently told Sky Sports: "I know he's [Wilder] a name that's been mentioned. There is a potential that AJ could fight Deontay Wilder in October, November, December, and then fight Tyson Fury, and then he's kind of got the full set in terms of every elite heavyweight of this generation, he's faced in the ring."

Former three-weight world champion Duke McKenzie believes a showdown between the pair should be next. The two stars have been long-time rivals, but have never settled the score in the ring. "If you look at it in the cold light of day, that's the only fight out there for either of them," the British boxing legend told talkSPORT.

"If either want to make any type of assault onto the world stage again and fight for a title, this has to be the final eliminator for the pair of them. Joshua hasn't got anywhere to go -- if you take Tyson Fury out of the equation, which would be the obvious fight that doesn't look like it would be made anytime soon -- then it's the only other fight that makes any business sense. Reputations on the line, for Joshua and Wilder, those two surely have to clash in their very next fight. There isn't anyone else out there for them to fight, they've got to fight one-another."