Article by Rick Mohamed

Former Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is finally starting to train again, with Malik Scott as his trainer. Who will he fight first?

Former WBA Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is on the comeback trail, posting video of him back in the gym and training again. This is the first footage we’ve seen of him training since his devastating loss to current champion Tyson Fury early last year. 

His fans are excited; his detractors are mildly interested, at best. However you might feel, no one can deny that Wilder possesses what may be the most devastating right hand in the business, if not all time. 

Whatever skill deficiencies he may/may not have are nullified with this nuclear weapon in his arsenal. He could be ahead or behind on the judges scorecards, but if he unloads that right hand, that’s all she wrote. 

It’s his personal Equalizer, or Overcomer, if you will. 

Fury is working to fight the other heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. They may fight twice, if they agree to finally fight. In the meantime, other contenders are emerging, such as: Dillian Whyte, Alexander Povetkin (both fought and KO’d each other in the last 8 months prior to the writing of this article), Dereck Chisora, Joseph Parker (the latter 2 are scheduled to fight each other on Saturday, May 1), former champion Andy Ruiz, (who also fights on May 1 vs. Chris Arreola), and other notables. 

Wilder is still a big draw, so anyone who agrees to fight him is guaranteed a big payday and lots of attention. Wilder wants the title back, so he may be only waiting in the wings for the winner of the Fury/Joshua fights, if and when they actually happen. 

Seeing him back in the mix of the heavyweight championship conversation is quite refreshing. 

Interestingly, Wilder has emerged in training with his former foe, Malik Scott, a former heavyweight contender. Scott fought Wilder back in 2014, with Wilder winning by a 1st round KO. 

Scott replaces 1984 Olympic gold medalist and former welterweight champion Mark Breland, who was accused of betraying Wilder during the Fury loss last February. 

The new “Team Wilder” is awaiting mediation regarding the broken deal to fight Fury late last year in Las Vegas. If that is denied, other options await.

Wilder is 35 years old and on the back end of his career. He knows that, and is looking at his legacy, his place in the annals of great heavyweights. He had a great 5+ year run as champion, but he wants more, especially if he wants to replace his loss to Fury as the last thing boxing fans see of him. 

Back in 2018, Brawlers Sports CEO Rick Mohamed sat down for a lengthy, informative and inspiring conversation with “The Bronze Bomber”, among other interviews during a full day spent at the Wilder camp. 

Let’s hear it, Brawlers Sports fans: who should he fight next? Sound off! LETSGOCHAMP!! 

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LETSGOCHAMPS!