Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is vowing to return to the ring in 2024.

The 38-year-old fighter suffered a big setback on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - when he dropped an unexpected twelve round unanimous decision loss to Joseph Parker.

Wilder was breaking a layoff of over one year - and he entered the ring with only a single round of action since 2021.

In the past, Wilder would find himself down on the cards, but he was usually able to land a single big punch to close the show.

This time around he wasn't as lucky. 

Parker, a former world champion himself, was able to avoid Wilder's big punches and outworked the dangerous puncher for the vast majority of the fight.

Wilder, who didn't throw much in the contest, admits the lack of ring activity affected him in the bout.

"We came out short tonight,” Wilder said in a video on Instagram.

"You know what, I don’t know what happened to be honest. My timing was off, and I didn’t throw my punches, I didn’t let my hands go like I was supposed to. Sometimes you get like that. But you live to see another fight. You live to see another moment.

“I’m still full of happiness, still full of joy, still full of smiles. Sorry if I let anyone down but we will be back though! That’s the thing about it. I thank you so much for the love and support I’ve got out here in Riyadh and from all my fans around the world. I appreciate you so much. This is not the end, and I will be back.”

The loss has effectively derailed a planned mega-bout between Wilder and British superstar Anthony Joshua - which promoters had already set down for March of 2024 in Saudi Arabia.