Deontay Wilder looked out of character against Joseph Parker, and his coach claims he knows why.
The 'Bronze Bomber' laboured to his third career loss against Parker in December, failing to use his trademark power to cause any problems for the punch-perfect New Zealander.
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In the aftermath of his performance, Wilder blamed several rounds of travelling as a key factor for his defeat and insisted he would not retire despite creeping closer to his twilight years.
Now, in a fresh reasoning for his loss, trainer Malik Scott has blamed Wilder's use of psychedelic drug ayahuasca for taking away his 'killer instinct'.
He told Instant Casinos: “I think Deontay has a killer instinct that you can't suppress, but I think he enjoyed ayahuasca.
"He said it made him a bit content and understand the smaller and softer things in life.
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"Violence wasn't a top priority that night and I think that's why we came up short. Deontay is a killer, he's violent - that Deontay didn't show up that night.
"But that's not the fighter you're going to see in his next fight.”
Wilder had claimed prior to his long-awaited comeback in December 2023, that his experiences with the drug had left him 'reborn' and on a new path to redemption.
But fans have been left stunned by Scott's new comments, with one writing: "He's the undisputed excuse champion!"
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Another wrote: "Wilder and his team when it comes to making the worst and most unbelievable excuses."
One joked: "Wilder has as many excuses as KOs at this point."
Boxing heavyweight Deontay Wilder stars in The Traitors USA and breaks down in tears on the show
A fan agreed: "Wilder was once capable of extreme violence but like with many fighters that make big money, it's hard to wake up hungry when you're sleeping between silk sheets."
One offered a more sinister reason for the loss, adding: "I think Tyson Fury broke his spirit, or easier put, his pride. He definitely hasn’t been the same since those back to back brutal defeats."
Despite the damaging defeat, Wilder looks set to return and is in talks to face Zhilei Zhang in June according to reports.
He will be hoping for one last run at the world titles, but a win would surely spell an end to his time in the professional ranks.
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