DEONTAY Wilder will end a 14-month absence from boxing when he enters the ring on Saturday night against Joseph Parker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Last time out ‘The Bronze Bomber’ needed just one round to wipe out a heavily outgunned Robert Helenius in Brooklyn, but will know he is in for a much sterner test in the form of Parker, a one-time WBO belt-holder.
This week Boxing News caught up with Wilder, who claimed a fight between himself and Parker has been in the works for years.
“Joseph Parker was supposed to fight us a long time ago when he was the WBO champion, but he ran from me and now it’s payback from running,” Wilder said. “I’m looking forward to the fight. I like to tell people, ‘When I get in the ring don’t blink,’ because it may be an early night come Saturday night.”
Trained by Andy Lee, there is a belief among some observers that Parker is a rejuvenated and hungrier fighter and could take advantage of Wilder’s ring rust.
“I don’t really gain ring rust,” Wilder said. “Although my body is not in the ring, my mind has never left. This has been short notice and a short camp, so we have had to cram a lot of rounds in this camp, but it all worked out for the best. I’m ready to go.”
Wilder’s notorious power has been used to devastating effect during his career, with 42 of his 43 wins coming by way of knockout or stoppage. Parker’s trainer says that the fight between his man and Wilder could come down to a shootout, which would of course be music to the ears of the American.
“It’s always music to my ears because none of these guys’ power matches mine,” Wilder said. “Numbers don’t lie and numbers tell the truth. If he wants to have a shootout that will be fine with me. It’ll be an even earlier night than expected.”