Malik Scott Speaks Out Following Wilder’s Loss To Zhang – ‘We Had An Incredible Training Camp’

Deontay Wilder’s trainer, Malik Scott, has addressed his fighter’s loss to Zhilei Zhang. 

Zhang stopped Wilder in the fifth round in a second consecutive loss. The Bronze Bomber has only won one fight in four bouts since working with Scott. Scott faces serious questions about his future. Wilder knocked out Scott in the first round during his career. Wilder’s father wants Scott removed for someone whom his son could respect.

Wilder’s mother, however, has suggested that her son should retire, given his accomplishments. Wilder became the WBC Heavyweight Champion, a belt he defended ten times before losing to Tyson Fury. At 38, can Wilder turn the clock back? Father time catches up with everyone, as fans may not see Wilder in the ring again. Scott has now responded to the loss, saying it was a bad day at the office. 

Scott Reacts

“Sometimes, such is the nature of boxing. If you’ve had a stellar bout, then all your preceding efforts were justified. Conversely, if you’ve had a dismal evening, that’s what transpires. If you were to ask me what was the most challenging aspect of the bout with Zhang, I wished for nothing more in life than victory for Deontay in this match.

“This victory was more coveted than any other in his career because we underwent an incredible training camp. Most disappointing for me was that Deontay found himself knocked out precisely by the punch I instructed him to avoid. Not only did we fail to triumph, but we weren’t even close to victory. All was quite dire. It’s one of those moments,” Scott stated

Nevertheless, Scott stated something similar after Wilder’s loss to Joseph Parker. The Bronze Bomber was out of sorts, boxing on the back foot. He abandoned his jab while rarely throwing his right hand. Against Zhang, Wilder also boxed backwards. But when he did throw his right hand in the fifth round, he hurt Zhang. But by opening up, he got countered by Zhang’s right hook, who then finished the fight.

Wilder’s Future

Wilder’s biggest assets are his right hand and jab. Scott has been criticized for trying to turn Wilder into a boxer when his best days were under Mark Breland. That is when Wilder would throw his right hand more, using the jab to set it up. Based on his pre-fight comments, Wilder may retire after suggesting he could hang up his gloves if he lost to Zhang. 

“I’ve had a successful career and this is a do or die moment for me. And I don’t think the heavyweight division is as exciting without Deontay Wilder in it. But come Saturday night we will see. Will I prevail, will I succeed? Who knows. But Saturday night is the true answer and we gonna see. This could be the end of the career. This could be the final goodbye, the farewell of Deontay Wilder — if I lose. If I win, I prevail, of course I go on to bigger and better things,” Wilder stated