“Fighters would rather stay poor,” Deontay Wilder’s trainer reveals opponents refusing $4 million to dodge the fear of deadly punches

Deontay Wilder has not fought regularly since losing the WBC title to Tyson Fury in 2020. His coach offered an explanation on why that was.

“Fighters would rather stay poor,” Deontay Wilder’s trainer reveals opponents refusing $4 million to dodge the fear of deadly punches

Deontay Wilder (Source: IMAGO)

Malik Scott is the head trainer of former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Scott voiced his frustration over the lack of fight for his fighter. With the stalling of a matchup against Anthony Joshua, Scott has repeatedly voiced his dejection. Scott boldly claimed why fighters did not want to compete against Wilder.

As of recent, the world-class trainer spoke with FightHype’s Sean Zittel. He noted his frustration with the fight with Joshua delaying. On the subject, Malik Scott said:

When you have the hardest punch in the history of the sport, it is very hard for guys to want to fight you. For four million dollars, can you believe that? Fighters are rather stay poor than make four million dollars! That's a tragedy. They'd rather ask for 15 or 20 knowing that it's not on the table for them...You gotta understand, because their life is on the line.
Malik Scott via FightHype YouTube Channel.
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Scott revealed about what bothers him as a coach. He stated that the inactivity of his fighter troubles him deeply. Such a long hiatus for a fighter in their prime may not be beneficial. Wilder has fought only once since his KO loss against Tyson Fury in 2021.

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The fight between Wilder and Joshua remains an anticipated fight for the fans. Talks were circulating of Middle Eastern organizers eyeing boxing’s glamour division. The fight could possibly happen sometime in 2024. Joshua also wants to fight Wilder. The winner of the bout between the two could face either Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson Fury for a world title.

Tyson Fury dunks Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder as titular possibilities

In 2023, Tyson Fury struggled to book a fight against someone after the Usyk fight fell apart. As of now, he faces Francis Ngannou in Riyadh on October 28. He is also signed up to face Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed title bout before the end of the year. Earlier, his manager, Frank Warren had contacted Anthony Joshua. But the latter already had a fight lined up in August and could not commit. Joshua ended up facing Robert Helenius. 

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury (Source: DAZN, The Sun)

In an interview with Sky Sports, Fury disregarded Joshua facing him for a title bout any soon. Before this, Joshua had told Sky Sports he planned to win the WBC heavyweight title. However, Fury had other ideas and coldly dismissed both Wilder and Joshua. This is what Fury said about them:

They're both out in the cold and they're both frozen so it doesn't really matter.
Tyson Fury via Sky Sports.

Fury will now face Ngannou in Riyadh and Usyk possibly in December. Meanwhile, both Joshua and Wilder remain without a fight. Only time will tell if Fury, Wilder, and Joshua will cross paths in the future.

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