Deontay Wilder has spoken out and divided opinion in a long interview after his defeat to Joseph Parker.
The American former heavyweight world champion was beaten on the same card as Anthony Joshua’s victory over Otto Wallin on Saturday night
Wilder was outboxed for all 12 rounds, unable to land his trademark right hand for a KO of Parker.
He opted not to make an excuses in the immediate interview after his loss, but has now told 78SPORTSTV: “My timing was off because of inactivity.
“I’m disappointed because I know I’m a way better fighter than him.
“I had such a great training camp, such great sparring, and when I got in the ring everything was off, my mind and my focus was off.
“I hurt him a few times, but certain shots I didn’t take. It was hesitation and I couldn’t understand why.”
Wilder continued: “He has no business beating me at all, not even on a magnificent day for him.
“He didn’t do nothing, he didn’t really do nothing, neither one of us really did anything.
“He caught me in a dazing moment [in round eight]. I f***ing zoned out for one minute, I don’t know what the f*** happened.
“The punch came but it wasn’t nothing that hurt, none of his punches fazed me at all, I smiled going back to my corner.
“But things like that shouldn’t happen…
“Parker’s not better than me, he’s nowhere near me.
“But at this moment he’s more advantaged than me because of my inactivity.
It was known before the fight that Joshua and Wilder had signed contracts to meet on March 9, if they both emerged victorious.
However, the American has now suggested that his defeat inspired AJ to victory and said he even laughed about it backstage.
“They really don’t want that fight,” Wilder added, “When I lost did you see how happy he was coming out? ‘Now I can escape.’
“I broke out laughing, I said, ‘That n***a’s happy as f***.’
“I made him able to perform like that. He was like, ‘I ain’t gotta fight Wilder.’
“The rumour was he was talking about retiring if I won…
“March 9, the fight still can go on. But this is a perfect way for them to get out.”
