In a heartfelt plea, Deborah Wilder, mother of heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder, has urged her son to retire from the sport that made him a household name. Speaking to USA Today Sports, Deborah expressed her gratitude and pride for her son’s contributions to boxing in the United States.
“I texted him and said, ‘Son, we’re having a party for you. You gave us the best boxing in USA when boxing was dead. You’ve gotten older. You’ve ran your course in your journey. It’s time to celebrate,’” Deborah shared. She reminisced about Deontay’s incredible career, highlighting his many knockouts that reignited America’s passion for boxing.
Deborah emphasized the importance of celebrating his achievements and moving on to the next chapter of his life. “He brought back boxing to the USA, and we enjoyed all those knockouts. I taped them and I’m going to look back at them. We’re going to laugh, we’re going to cry. But we’re going to be happy. Enjoy your life now. Teach other young men how to become a champion,” she added.
Her emotional appeal underscores the impact Deontay Wilder has had on the sport and the pride his family feels for his accomplishments. As the boxing community awaits Wilder’s decision, his mother’s words serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and triumphs that come with a career in the ring.
