Deontay Wilder Admits His Timing Was Off Against Joseph Parker

Deontay Wilder admits he was off in his lopsided decision loss to Joseph Parker on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia.

Wilder was taking on Parker in the co-main event, in a fight he was favored to win. If he had won, he and Anthony Joshua – who beat Otto Wallin in the main event – were set to fight on March 9.

However, Joseph Parker picked Deontay Wilder apart for 12 rounds to win a clear-cut decision. Following the loss, Wilder took to his social media to release a statement and said his timing was off and didn’t let his hands go as he wanted.

“We came out short tonight,” Wilder said in a video on Instagram. “You know what, I don’t know what happened to be honest. My timing was off, and I didn’t throw my punches, I didn’t let my hands go like I was supposed to. Sometimes you get like that. But you live to see another fight. You live to see another moment.

“I’m still full of happiness, still full of joy, still full of smiles. Sorry if I let anyone down but we will be back though! That’s the thing about it. I thank you so much for the love and support I’ve got out here in Riyadh and from all my fans around the world. I appreciate you so much. This is not the end, and I will be back,” Wilder continued.

In the loss to Joseph Parker, Deontay Wilder landed just 39 punches over 12 rounds as he struggled to find an opening for the right hand.

With the loss, Wilder is now 43-3-1 as a pro and 1-3 in his last four fights, with the other two defeats coming to Tyson Fury. At age 38, it’s uncertain what the next move for ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is following his loss to Parker.

Were you surprised Deontay Wilder lost to Joseph Parker?