Tyson Fury expects former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder to return to the ring following his one-sided December defeat to Joseph Parker. 

Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) faces Francis Ngannou (0-1) this Friday (March 8) in the Saudi capital. However, the original script had Wilder pencilled-in to finally face Joshua. 

Wilder then lost to a revitalised Parker (34-3, 23 KOs) and that left Joshua without an opponent and Ngannou was brought in. 

Ngannou had surpassed all expectations on his professional debut on October 28. He dropped Fury in the third round, and the former UFC heavyweight champion suffered a narrow split decision defeat. 

Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs), attending the final press conference ahead of Joshua’s encounter with Ngannou, believes Wilder will return despite his post-fight comments that he was to consider his future. 

Wilder’s trainer, Malik Scott, posted on his social media platforms that he was working in the gym with Wilder as he took the former WBC heavyweight champion on the pads, indicating that Wilder would continue with his career instead of retiring. 

Speaking to FightHub TV, Fury claimed the 38-year-old Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs) will continue to fight, that he knows who he will face, and where the ‘Bronze Bomber’ will be fighting if Wilder steps through the ropes again. 

“I think he can come back, sure. I think he’s fighting again,” Fury said to FightHub. “I actually know he’s fighting again, but I can’t drop who or what date. But it’s coming soon – a massive fight with Wilder involved.”