Deontay Wilder Stunned by Joseph Parker as Fans Slam The Bronze Bomber’s Performance

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So about that potential fight between Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua.

While Wilder, the former WBC champ, had an opportunity to set up a highly anticipated showdown against Joshua, a two-time former unified heavyweight champion, he had to take care of business against Joseph Parker first.

And he did anything but that.

Parker defeated Wilder via unanimous decision in Saturday’s bout as part of the Day of Reckoning: Fight Night in Saudi Arabia. It was one of two main events with Josuha taking on Otto Wallin in the other matchup.

Social media did not hold back when assessing the performance from Wilder:

The loss comes after boxing insider Dan Rafael reported Wednesday that Wilder and Joshua agreed to “all terms” for a two-fight deal.

Rafael noted the back-to-back fights were “contingent on Joshua and Wilder not losing their bouts on the ‘Day of Reckoning.'” The first was slated for March 9 in Saudi Arabia with the guaranteed rematch happening set to happen at some point in 2024.

While the two fighters were unable to come to terms on a matchup when they were both undefeated—which Rafael pointed out would have been for the undisputed championship since Wilder held the WBC title and Joshua held the IBF, WBO and WBA belts—it figured to still be one of the most anticipated matchups in years.

Parker had other ideas, and now it appears Wilder could entertain retirement.

“We’ll see what happens, we still have a little bit left, but I did a great job managing my money,” he said, according to talkSPORT’s Michael Benson. “I’m a happy fighter. I’ll be back, and if not, then it’s been a pleasure. I don’t know [if I still have the same fire I used to], a lot has calmed me down. I’ve been wearing this smile all week long and I’mma still wear it. Nothing can stop me on that.”

Parker, it should be noted, was no pushover considering he entered Saturday’s fight with a 33-3 record and 23 knockouts. He defeated Jack Massey, Faiga Opelu and Simon Kean earlier this year.

Yet Wilder was a step up in competition as someone with 42 knockouts to go along with a 43-2-1 record and long history of high-profile success. Only the great Tyson Fury had previously figured out how to defeat Wilder.

Parker figured it out as well.