Deontay Wilder urged to RETIRE from boxing after hallucinogenic drug ‘took away his killer instinct’
DEONTAY WILDER has been urged by Carl Froch to RETIRE from boxing after hallucinogenic drugs “took away killer instinct”.
Wilder in December suffered a shock defeat to Joseph Parker, which in turn blew his super-fight against Anthony Joshua.
Before the bout in Saudi Arabia, the American boasted of becoming a new man after taking psychedelic drug ayahuasca.
But retired former super-middleweight world champion Froch believes it contributed to Wilder returning gun-shy and to blame for his lacklustre performance.
He told Lord Ping: “I think ayahuasca affected Deontay Wilder’s performance, I think it took away his killer instinct and the desire to cause damage.
“I think it chilled him out too much, it’s not good for you. Bad move that. I think he should retire now, he’s lost to Joseph Parker, who lost to Diliian Whyte, come on.
“He’s going on as well in age, he’s made plenty of money, he’s in touch with his spiritual side now and it’s put him at peace, but he’s no longer in a fighter’s frame of mind. He’s a lover.”
Wilder, 38, had just 40 seconds of action in nearly two years before he returned against Parker, 32.
And he landed only 39 punches from the 204 he threw, with onlookers scratching their heads at the showing.
In the build up, Wilder looked rejuvenated and revealed in an interview how it was inspired by his experience with South American psychoactive brew ayahuasca.
The drug comes from stewing the leaves and stem of a jungle vine that grows in the Amazon rainforest, and it is usually drunk as a tea.
Ayahuasca takes 20 to 60 minutes to kick in, and its effects can last up to six hours.
Typical effects include visual hallucinations, euphoria, paranoia, and vomiting.
It contains dimethyltryptamine – or DMT – which is deemed a Class A drug in the United Kingdom, making it illegal on these shores.
Ayahuasca is also banned in the UK, but can be taken legally elsewhere.
Wilder told The Telegraph: “Ah, man, ayahuasca has been… Man, it’s been one of the top things in my life that I’m glad that I’ve experienced.
“One of the best journeys to experience, it’s been a beautiful thing for me, and if you ask my wife, she’ll say that it made me more sensitive.
What are the effects of ayahuasca?
While the drug may affect people differently, some of the common effects include:
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Anxiety
- Euphoria
- Intense visual and auditory hallucinations
- Powerful emotions
- Increased body temperature
- Feelings of connection and unity
“And she’s probably right, but it also made me happier as well. I find myself appreciating even the smallest of the smallest things – and not saying that I didn’t before – but the appreciation level has increased.
“Ayahuasca has done some beautiful things for a lot of individuals, not only just including myself, where they brought affirmation to their life or some type of understanding of the path that they are running in their life.
“I’m looking forward to doing it many, many more times. I’m actually looking to do it after this fight as well.
“They made the medicine on site, the DMT, and it was just a beautiful experience. I highly recommend everyone to try it out, I really do, it really has helped me in my life.
“I am one of the happiest people I know in life, and God is good.”
Wilder has refused to retire following defeat but faces a fight to ever get the chance to face Joshua, 34, again.
In a lengthy message to his fans just a day after the loss, the former WBC champion insisted his boxing story is not over.
Wilder said: “I’m a warrior, I’ll be back soon. If not, then I appreciate the love and support everyone has given me over the years.
“Life is about falling and getting back up, you must get back up.”