Paulie Malignaggi Wonders If Deontay Wilder Checked Out Of Boxing

Paulie Malignaggi thinks Deontay Wilder has checked out of boxing.

Malignaggi is a former boxer and after Wilder’s KO loss to Zhilei Zhang on Saturday in Saudi Arabia, he believes Wilder has checked out of boxing.

“If you really look at how Wilder fought tonight, he fought to survive. He’s checked out mentally. He’s just looking to get a couple of paydays. Deontay Wilder is not fighting with that killer instinct. He is overthinking, he is too defensive, not attack-minded enough. Wilder was the most exciting heavyweight of his generation; the three Tyson Fury fights were super exciting. Wilder was one of the best heavyweights in a very solid heavyweight generation,” Malignaggi said on ProBox TV Live Post-Fight Recap, via BoxingScene.

Wilder is now on a two-fight losing streak and is 1-4 in his last five, so his future is in doubt after Saturday’s loss.

Currently, Deontay Wilder hasn’t announced his retirement and his manager Shelly Finkel said the decision to continue will be up to Wilder.

“It is Deontay’s decision whether this is his last fight or not. I love the guy, I’ve been with him for 15 years and I don’t want him to get hurt,” Finkel said. “It is totally his decision, I will let him know how I feel but it is his decision and I support him whatever he does.”

Deontay Wilder is 43-4-1 as a pro and is the former WBC heavyweight champion. In his career, he holds notable wins over Luis Ortiz, Dominic Breazeale, and Robert Helenius among others.