Deontay Wilder's father has some advice for the boxer following his fifth-round knockout loss to Zhang Zhiping.
Fire your trainer.
Malik Scott was friends with Deontay Wilder before becoming his trainer in 2021. Since then, the former WBC heavyweight champion is 1-3.
“I need someone to look up to,” Gary Wilder told USA Today Sports. “I don't need a buddy to train me.”
The 38-year-old Deontay Wilder has suggested he would seriously consider retirement if he lost to Zhang, but Gary Wilder said: “It's not too late (for Deontay). I think he's got a few more years in him.”
Deontay Wilder's co-manager Shelley Finkel told USA Today Sports in a text message that “I really have nothing to say.”[HethensaidthatGaryWilderhasnoinvolvementinDeontayWilder'sboxingcareer
Gary Wilder said he has seen less of his son since the Scot replaced Mark Breland, but he did attend Deontay vs Tyson Fury's third fight in 2021 at his son's request (something Deontay Wilder's mother confirmed), and spent time at his son's training camp before his son fights Joseph Parker in December 2023.
When asked about Gary Wilder's comments, Scott replied by text message: “Who's Gary?” before adding: “No comment.”
In his four bouts with the Scot, Deontay Wilder lost by knockout to Fury, a unanimous decision to Joseph Parker and a knockout to Zhang. Wilder's only win was a first-round knockout against Robert Helenius.
Gary Wilder said his biggest complaint about Scott was his attempts to develop Deontay Wilder into a more traditional boxer.
“Deontay has always been a hard hitter,” Gary Wilder said. “Now Malik is trying to turn him into a boxer, but you can see that Deontay is not happy with where he is now. As long as he's trying to be a boxer, he's not going to win.”
“That's the bottom line.”
Gary Wilder has not been in contact with Deontay Wilder since Saturday's fight in Saudi Arabia but says he will offer some advice the next time they speak.
Deontay Wilder has a record of 43 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw with 42 knockouts, including one against Scott. In 2014, Wilder knocked Scott out in the first round.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deontay Wilder's father offers honest advice to boxer after knockout loss
