Shelly Finkel, co-manager of former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, is optimistic about Wilder’s return to the boxing forefront. Following Wilder’s unexpected defeat to Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia, Finkel is eyeing a potential comeback path that could include high-profile matchups.
Wilder and Anthony Joshua had shared the card in Saudi Arabia, with plans for a Wilder-Joshua fight if both had been victorious. However, Wilder’s loss to Parker derailed those plans. Now, Joshua is set to face MMA star Francis Ngannou in Riyadh on March 8, and there’s talk of Wilder participating on the undercard.
Finkel expressed keen interest in this opportunity, stating to The Sun, “If there was an opportunity, we’d be glad to consider it.” He remains hopeful that a victorious return for Wilder could pave the way for a future clash with Joshua.
Regarding potential opponents, Finkel is open to a variety of options, including a rematch with Parker or a bout against Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang. He believes a Wilder-Zhang fight, if staged on the same card as Joshua-Ngannou, could rival the latter in terms of public appeal. He praised the effort of having multiple heavyweight fighters on the same card, considering it beneficial for the sport and the audience.
Finkel’s comments reflect a strategic approach to rebuild Wilder’s position in the heavyweight division. By targeting significant and appealing matchups, there’s a clear intent to re-establish Wilder as a top contender and potentially set up high-stakes bouts in the future.
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