Deontay Wilder has insisted his loss to Joseph Parker will not mark the end of his professional boxing career.
The American suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Parker in the co-main event of Day of Reckoning on Saturday night, with the judges scoring 120-108, 118-11 and 118-110.
And the 38-year-old appeared to hint he could retire when speaking to DAZN Sports ringside in the immediate aftermath of the loss.
But he later shut down any suggestion he might quit boxing as he told fans that 'we'll be back', while also apologizing for letting them down in a short video shared on social media.
“We came up short tonight,” he began. 'I honestly don't know what happened. My timing was wrong and I didn't release my hands as intended. Sometimes it gets like this, but you live to see another fight. You live for a moment, that's all that matters. I'm still full of happiness, I'm still full of joy, still full of smiles.
Deontay Wilder suffered a unanimous decision loss to Joseph Parker on Saturday
After his Judgment Day loss, the American seemed to hint that he could retire
But later in the evening via social media, the 38-year-old closed the pension discussion
'I'm sorry if I let anyone down. But we'll be back, that's the beauty of it.'
Wilder stressed the importance of his family and added that he couldn't wait to get home before reiterating that his career was not over yet.
“I thank you so much for the love and support I have received in Riyadh and all my fans around the world,” he added. 'I thank you, I appreciate you very much. This is not the end, we will be back.”
Wilder's comments came after he remained coy about his future after the fight, claiming: 'We'll see what happens.
“We still have a little bit left, but I have managed my money very well,” he told DAZN Sports after the fight.
There were rumors this week that the American had signed a two-fight contract to step into the ring next year with Anthony Joshua, who defeated Otto Wallin in the fifth round of the other co-main event.
On whether a potential fight against Anthony Joshua could have been a distraction, he added: “A little bit. Lots of things were talked about. We make no excuses. We will definitely come back.
'We still have a little bit left. I have done an excellent job managing my money and investing. I'm a happy fighter. I'll be back soon and if not, it was a pleasure. '
Anthony Joshua had previously left the door open for the highly anticipated fight with Wilder
But following Wilder's loss to Parker, Eddie Hearn confirmed that Joshua is likely to meet Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF world heavyweight title after Wilder failed to keep his promise.
According to talkSPORTHearn confirmed that Wilder's defeat had thrown plans for the much-anticipated showdown into disarray, saying: 'We signed for Wilder, he lost tonight. Maybe it's a blessing because AJ wants to become a three-time world heavyweight champion. It will be AJ versus Hrgovic for the world title.'
But from comments following his win, Joshua seemed to hint that the rumored two-fight deal could in fact still happen.
“I wasn't looking,” Joshua replied when asked how he reacted to Wilder's loss. 'I just focused on myself. I heard Deontay lost, so what?
'He will come back. I'm going to look higher and I hope he comes back.'
Eddie Hearn confirmed Wilder's defeat had derailed plans for a showdown with Joshua
Filip Hrgovic (photo) made short work of his fight with Mark de Mori on the undercard
The fight was scored 118-111, 118-110, 120-108 in favor of Parker, with Wilder now having suffered the third defeat of his career.
Wilder, who now has a record of 43-3-1, added that while he could potentially return to the ring, he was satisfied with what he had accomplished in life.
“I have found a lot of peace and happiness in my life,” he said.
'I've been wearing this smile all week. I am blessed. I've given everything I've got. You can't give up or give up, you have to keep going.”
