Deontay Wilder hinted at retirement after losing to Joseph Parker

Today, in the main event of the boxing night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former WBC belt holder and American knockout specialist Deontay Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs) lost a points decision to former WBO champion from New Zealand, Joseph Parker (34-3, 23 KOs).

Apart from Wilder's unpleasant surprise during the fight, he later bizarrely began celebrating as if he had won. In a post-match interview addressing this, he admitted that he had done enough but acknowledged Parker as the better fighter.

"I feel I did enough to win, but credit to my opponent. He worked well, evading my shots. So, no excuses."

It seemed that after the final bell, Deontay was ready to contemplate retirement for good and expressed:

"We'll see what's next. I believe there's still something left in me. I'll say that. I've smartly invested all the earnings. I'm content with my life, my career. I'll be back. And if not, I'll still be content. You saw it. I was smiling all week, felt good. And that won't change. I'm not sure if the old fire, the old passion, still exists in me. I think some things have calmed and relaxed me a bit."

A little later, Deontay retracted his words and a video with his final decision appeared on his page on the social network Instagram:

"Guys, sorry if I let you down. No, it's not over. We'll be back!"