Deontay Wilder has posted a video on his Instagram giving his own statue a pep talk ahead of what could be a massive year for the Bronze Bomber.

After losing via an 11th round knock-out to Tyson Fury back in October 2021, the American returned to his home town Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to unveil a statue of himself where he announced that his ‘journey wasn’t over.’

The former WBC heavyweight champion had almost retired after his trilogy defeat to the Gypsy King, but chose to continue his career going on to record a first round knock-out win over Robert Helenius last October.

Deontay Wilder (left) posted a video on Instagram giving his own statue a pep talk

He nearly went into retirement but the statue made him see ‘the world still needed him’

And it seems Wilder has returned to his statue, this time vowing that there is still more to come.

Posting a hilarious video on his Instagram, the 37-year-old can be seen hugging and talking to his statue, before claiming that he was ‘proud’ of what he had achieved.

‘Hey, how you doing? Merry Christmas,’ he said in the video. ‘Happy New Year to you. How you are feeling? You been doing alright? You been holding up?’

‘You look cold. I’m going to have to get you a blanket to warm you up. Right now, you’re looking good. I’m proud of you and everything you have done.

‘There’s more to do though, I’ll see you soon.’

Wilder knocked out Robert Helenius during the first round of their bout in October

Wilder’s next opponent is likely to be Andy Ruiz after the WBC ordered a fight between the pair

That would see the winner get a fight against former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua

Wilder, who currently has a record of 43-2-1, had nearly retired from professional boxing but previously claimed that the statue, which was built in his honour, made him realise that the ‘world still needed him.’

And it appears the Bronze Bomber could be in for one of his biggest years yet, with Eddie Hearn confirming that he or Fury are ‘nailed on to face Anthony Joshua in 2023.’  

That’s if Wilder can get past Andy Ruiz first, with the WBC ‘set to order’ an eliminator fight between the pair – with the winner to set to take on Joshua.