Wilder admits he would help Haye but would also be open to facing him in the ring.
Former sparring partner and world-title prospect Deontay Wilder has told British boxer David Haye to remain retired rather than return to the heavyweight division.
The former WBA heavyweight champion was twice forced to call off his fight with fellow Brit Tyson Fury after a cut above his eye and then a shoulder injury ensured he remained sidelined.
While he has hinted at the possibility of returning depending on how his shoulder heals, Wilder is of the opinion that Haye shouldn’t return to the heavyweight division after it has clearly had a toll on the 33-year-old’s body.
Wilder has won all 30 of his fights in his career thus far, and while he expects to challenge for a world title sooner rather than later, he believes his old friend has no way back.
“David isn’t a true heavyweight as he came up through the cruiserweight ranks and his body must have taken some punishment after going up against bigger guys,” he is quoted as saying by the Metro.
“He should listen to his body and stay in retirement. If he did come back he may also have trouble winning back some of his fans who felt pulling out of those fights with Fury left a disgusting taste.
“I like David and would always help him out if he wanted me to but I would also also be happy to face him in the ring.”
Wilder admitted that he believes Haye would have defeated Fury given the shape he was in ahead of their scheduled fight, but having sparred with the former champion, he is focused on in his own career path now which sees him face Malik Scott in Puerto Rico this weekend.
Nevertheless, he left the door open to fighting in England in the future, as he revealed he would be happy to face either Fury or Dereck Chisora as he is confident that he would be able to defeat both men.
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