Deontay Wilder, the former heavyweight champion, has found himself in a career rut. Following his recent loss to Zhilei Zhang, many pundits and fans have been vocal about their belief that Wilder should retire. However, Oscar De La Hoya, the legendary boxer known as the “Golden Boy,” has a different perspective.
De La Hoya Opens Up on Deontay Wilder
In a firm stance against these voices, De La Hoya has lashed out at the fans and media, asserting that it is never appropriate to tell a fighter when to retire. He emphasizes that retirement is a deeply personal decision—one that only the fighter should make. De La Hoya states,
“Deontay Wilder got knocked out, OK? But there’s no need to bash him,” De La Hoya said in an Instagram Live. “There’s no need to say, ‘Oh, he must retire and this and that.’ There’s no need to bash him. Deontay Wilder will make his decision whether he wants to retire or not.
“You have to give the man his respect and respect his decision. My thinking behind it is, never tell a fighter when to retire. It’s a personal decision. It’s a decision only a fighter should make. This is our livelihood, this is our love, this is our passion.”
Oscar De La Hoya criticizes those calling for Deontay Wilder's retirement: 'Give the man his respect' 🥊 https://t.co/InGDeZRjyI
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 6, 2024
De La Hoya’s defense of Wilder extends beyond mere words. He acknowledges that while Wilder may have suffered setbacks, he deserves respect for his contributions to the sport. De La Hoya’s sentiment echoes the idea that fighters, regardless of their current form, have earned the right to make their own choices about their careers.
The boxing world remains divided on Wilder’s future, but De La Hoya’s stance serves as a reminder that fighters deserve dignity and understanding, even during challenging times. As Wilder contemplates his next move, De La Hoya’s message resonates: “Deontay Wilder will make his decision whether he wants to retire or not”.
SHARE
