Deontay Wilder’s Father Calls for Trainer Dismissal After Loss to Zhilei Zhang
Deontay Wilder’s recent defeat has stirred up more than just the boxing world. His father, Gary Wilder, is calling for significant changes in his son’s corner after Deontay’s fifth-round knockout loss to Zhilei Zhang on June 1, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Gary Wilder’s Strong Advice
Gary Wilder believes his son needs a new direction, starting with the removal of his current trainer, Malik Scott. Scott, a former friend and now trainer, took over the role in 2021. Since then, Deontay Wilder’s record has been a disappointing 1-3. “You need somebody you’re going to respect,” Gary Wilder told USA TODAY Sports. “You don’t need a buddy to train you.”
Despite the recent loss and the ongoing struggles, Gary Wilder insists that his 38-year-old son still has potential. “It’s not too late for Deontay. I believe he got several good years left,” he added. This statement comes after Deontay had hinted at possibly retiring if he lost to Zhang.
Mixed Reactions from the Management
Deontay Wilder’s co-manager, Shelly Finkel, had a more reserved response to Gary Wilder’s comments. “We really have nothing to say,” Finkel said via text, distancing himself from Gary’s remarks by noting that Gary Wilder is not directly involved in Deontay’s boxing career.
Scott, on the other hand, responded tersely when questioned about Gary Wilder’s statement. “…who is Gary?” he replied, following up with a succinct “No comment.”\
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Questioning Training Methods
Gary Wilder has seen less of his son since Scott replaced former Trainer Mark Breland. He noted that he attended Deontay’s third fight against Tyson Fury in 2021 and spent time in training camp before Deontay’s bout against Joseph Parker in December 2023.
During Scott’s tenure, Deontay Wilder has faced significant defeats: a knockout loss to Fury, a unanimous decision loss to Parker, and the recent knockout by Zhang. His only victory in this period was a first-round knockout against Robert Helenius.
Gary Wilder’s main contention with Scott’s training approach is the shift towards making Deontay a more traditional boxer. “Deontay’s always been a slugger,” Gary Wilder explained. “Now Malik’s trying to train him to be a boxer, and if you look at it, you’ll see that Deontay is not comfortable where he is. As long as he tries to be a boxer, he’s not going to win. That’s the bottom line.”
Future Conversations and Career Prospects
Gary Wilder has yet to speak with Deontay since the defeat in Saudi Arabia but plans to share his thoughts soon. Deontay Wilder’s current record stands at 43-4-1, with 42 knockouts—one of which was against Scott in 2014.
The call for change by Gary Wilder is not just a critique of Scott’s methods but a plea for his son to return to the aggressive, powerful style that once made him a feared contender in the heavyweight division. As Deontay considers his next steps, the input from his father could play a crucial role in shaping his future in the ring.
