Deontay Wilder has been handed a six-month medical suspension following his knockout defeat by Tyson Fury, another major blow to the Bronze Bomber’s boxing career.
The American heavyweight was knocked down three times by the Gypsy King on his way to victory in their trilogy fight last weekend.
Wilder was immediately taken to a Nevada hospital to be checked over after the bruising encounter and he will now undergo surgery on a broken hand next week.
As a result of his injuries, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has suspended him until April 8, meaning he cannot return to the ring until that date unless he is medically cleared by a doctor beforehand.
Wilder is now expected to undergo surgery next week when he returns to his home state of Alabama.
His co-manager Shelly Finkel told The Sun:
‘Deontay broke his right hand behind the third knuckle and he has to have that fixed next week.
‘He has to have surgery, the knuckle is OK, it’s the bone behind the knuckle that broke. He’s sore but he was OK, he was home yesterday.
‘He’s healing and at this point, if everything is OK, after the hand surgery he’ll probably look to enter the ring mid next year, like April or May.’
Fury has also been handed a standard 45-day suspension following his victory. The Gypsy King is next expected to fight mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte in 2022 – should the latter claim victory in his fight with Otto Wallin on October 30 at the 02 Arena.