Former British world champion Tony Bellew considers American ex-champion Deontay Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs) to have not beaten anyone significant, comparing him with Mike Tyson and George Foreman.
"Who has Deontay Wilder really knocked out? What's the best name on his resume? 50-year-old Luis Ortiz? I mean, what's his best knockout, and who has he really knocked out? In general, he hasn't beaten anyone. The media created a monster in Deontay Wilder and called him the greatest knockout artist in history, but don't be ridiculous. George Foreman knocked Joe Frazier off his feet and lifted him off the floor, he hit him so hard. Then he knocked out Ken Norton. The names he beat are just phenomenal, it's truly scary. Putting Deontay Wilder anywhere near Mike Tyson is madness. Mike Tyson knocked out Larry Holmes, defeated Michael Spinks who had beaten Larry Holmes. You can't get away from the names and resumes of these fighters. And Wilder just doesn't have such elite names in his legacy, except, arguably, Tyson Fury, who, of course, beat Wilder 2 out of 3 times. At times, Wilder looked like a really great knockout artist, but against opponents who were much lower in caliber than those faced by Mike Tyson and Foreman," Bellew said for Spin Bet.
Wilder's last fight was a loss by decision to Joseph Parker at the end of 2023. Since then, Deontay hasn't been in the ring and still does not have a next opponent.