Deontay Wilder is in ‘decapitation’ shape for his huge heavyweight showdown vs Joseph Parker on Saturday, according to trainer Malik Scott.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ goes into the bout with former WBO king Parker in Riyadh, knowing that a massive superfight vs Anthony Joshua beckons less than three months away on March 9, 2024.
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Wilder, who has not been out since a first-round knockout of Robert Helenius in Brooklyn in October 2022, tipped the scales at just 213lbs (15st 3lbs) at the official weigh-in on Friday. That is the second lightest of his career, and a whopping 25lbs less than for the trilogy fight vs Tyson Fury in 2021.
Parker meanwhile came in at 245.3lbs (17st 7lbs), more than two stones heavier than Wilder – but still 10lbs less than he was for his most recent defeat, at the hands of Joe Joyce in 2022.
Wilder of course, the former WBC king with the devastating knockout power (42 of his 43 wins have come inside distance) is accustomed to being outweighed in a big way by his opponents. But trainer Scott made a very valid point after his man had weighed in.
Wilder at prime weight for Parker
“Joseph, he has the perfect style for Deontay to look spectacular against tomorrow and that what he’s gonna do.
“Deontay weighs 213, 214lbs – this is the weight where he give out his most decapitation work, and tomorrow’s not gonna be no different.”
Some pundits have predicted that Parker will need to try and stay away from Wilder in a bid to avoid that devastating knockout power, but the New Zealander for one does not agree with that theory.
“We’re here, we’re ready and I can’t wait. I’m gonna be aggressive, execute the plan, follow the strategy and get the win.”
