Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder
Wilder in 2015
Statistics
Real name	Deontay Leshun Wilder
Nickname(s)	The Bronze Bomber
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Reach	83 in (211 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	October 22, 1985 Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	36
Wins	36
Wins by KO	35
Losses	0
Medal record Men's amateur boxing Representing  United States Olympic Games 2008 Beijing Heavyweight

Deontay Leshun Wilder (born October 22, 1985) is an American professional boxer and the current WBC heavyweight champion. As an amateur he won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics, which led to his nickname of "The Bronze Bomber". Wilder coined the name after Joe Louis, who was also from Alabama, and who was known by the nickname "The Brown Bomber". He has a very erratic and explosive style, generating extreme punching power in his right hand which has accounted for most of his knockouts, 18 of which came in the first round. Wilder currently boasts a 97.2% knockout ratio.

Amateur career

Wilder started boxing in October 2005 when he entered Skyy Boxing Gym in Northport, Alabama and began training under Jay Deas. Wilder was 19 at the time, which was considered late to start training.

By 2007 he upset the favorites to win both the National Golden Gloves and the US championships at 201 lb (91 kg).

At the Golden Gloves he defeated highly touted cadet world champion Isiah Thomas - a southpaw from Detroit - and David Thompson, of Brooklyn, N.Y in the finals. At the U.S. championship he defeated Quantis Graves and won the final 31-15 over southpaw James Zimmerman of San Jose, Calif.

At the Olympic trials he beat Graves twice more and won the Olympic trials in only 21 bouts. Early in 2008 he scored a career-best win by edging out World Gold medalist and future Olympic champion Rakhim Chakhiyev in Russia. He qualified for the Olympics by beating Deivis Julio 6:5 Jorge Quinones from Ecuador on double countback and Brazilian Rafael Lima 6:5 at the qualifier.

Wilder then competed at heavyweight in the 2008 Olympics, defeating Abdelaziz Touilbini of Algeria and Mohamed Arjaoui of Morocco before losing to Clemente Russo of Italy in the semi final to earn a bronze medal.^[1]

Professional career

Early career

Wilder turned professional at the age of 23, on November 15, 2008. From his first pro fight until August 2014, Wilder racked up an impressive 32-fight win streak, winning all contests by knockout and all within four rounds. His first notable opponent was former WBA heavyweight title challenger Owen Beck. He won the fight when Beck retired in the third round. In 2013, Wilder travelled to England to face former European heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist Audley Harrison. He won by stoppage in the first round. In his next fight, Wilder scored a notable win over former WBO heavyweight champion Siarhei Liakhovich, knocking him out in the first round.

WBC heavyweight champion

World title win and early defenses

In March 2014, Wilder beat fellow American Malik Scott by first round knockout.^[2] This set up his position as mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight title held by new champion Bermane Stiverne, who had defeated Chris Arreola for the title vacated by the retiring Vitali Klitschko. In January 2015, Wilder fought Stiverne at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and made his dream a reality by winning the WBC heavyweight title from the defending champion by unanimous decision after twelve rounds. The three official judges scored it (118-109), (119-108) & (120-107).^[3] This was the first real proof to critics that Wilder could go the distance and could box, as up to that point he had finished all opponents inside the distance. In his first year as world heavyweight champion, he successfully defended his crown three times, with a ninth round knockout of Eric Molina,^[4] an eleventh round stoppage of Johann Duhaupas,^[5] and a devastating ninth round knockout victory over Artur Szpilka.^[6]

Wilder vs. Povetkin

Wilder will make the fourth defence of his WBC heavyweight title against former WBA champion and current mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) in Moscow, Russia, on May 21, 2016 at the Megasport Arena. Povetkin is considered by many to be Wilder's toughest opponent to date. Povetkin is on a four-fight knockout streak since losing to Wladimir Klitschko in late 2013.^[7] Wilder doesn't seem to be worried by the defence and just see's this as a big name in the Heavyweight division that he could add to his legacy, "Going to Russia is going to be nothing for me, I'm going to treat it like it's the U.S. because at the end of the day, it's one man, one ring. When I knock him out and come back, it's going to bring my legacy even bigger than it is now." He also added, "I think this is going to be an easier fight than Stiverne, I really believe that. To be proven wrong, we're going to find out." ^[8]

Personal life

Wilder has two daughters, Naieya and Ava, and two sons, Dereon and Deontay Jr. Wilder has been married since 2009 to Jessica Scales-Wilder.^[9]

He graduated from Tuscaloosa Central High School in 2004 and dreamed of playing American football (wide receiver) or basketball (forward) for his hometown Alabama Crimson Tide, but the birth of his daughter Naieya (b. 2005), who suffers from a spina bifida and grade issues forced him to attend nearby Shelton State Community College and to focus on a boxing career.^[10]

Controversies

On May 4, 2013, Wilder was arrested in Las Vegas for domestic battery by strangulation, which is a Class B or Class C felony.^[11] Wilder's attorney said, "Deontay instinctively acted under the false impression that someone was stealing from him. That wasn't the case. He regrets his actions. He is extremely regretful because this is not consistent with his reputation. He and the victim have spoken about this and the victim has accepted his apology. We hope this matter will be brought to a resolution soon".^[12] According to Clark County, Nevada records, Wilder was cleared in the matter.

Championships

• WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Champion (2 defenses)
• WBC World Heavyweight Champion (3 defenses)

Olympic results

Boxing at the 2008 Summer Olympics^[13]

• Defeated Abdelaziz Toulbini (Algeria) 10:4
• Defeated Mohamed Arjaoui (Morocco) 10+:10 (tiebreaker criteria)
• Lost to Clemente Russo 1:7

World amateur championships results

• Lost to Krzysztof Zimnoch (Poland) 20-23

Professional boxing record

Titles in boxing

References

1. "81 - 91kg (heavyweight) men results - Boxing - Beijing 2008 Olympics". www.olympic.org. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
2. "Wilder bests Scott; 31st KO in as many fights". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
3. "Boxing: Deontay Wilder outpoints Bermane Stiverne to earn WBC heavyweight title". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
4. "Deontay Wilder knocked Eric Molina out after nine rounds in Alabama". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
5. "Deontay Wilder stops Johann Duhaupas in 11 rounds". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
6. "Wilder rocks Szpilka with KO, then jaws with Fury". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
7. Wilder to fight mandatory Povetkin
8. Wilder believes easy fight against Povetkin
9. Lem Satterfield (23 January 2015). "Tuscaloosa to hold parade for Deontay Wilder". Ring TV.
10. "Baby daughter inspires Olympic boxer - TODAY in Beijing - TODAY.com". Today.msnbc.msn.com. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
11. Suttles, Aaron (2013-05-07). "Wilder arrested on felony suspicion". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
12. Taylor, Stephanie (2013-05-08). "Attorney: Deontay Wilder thought he was being robbed". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
13. "Boxing Schedules & Results". Official Beijing 2008 Website. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
14. "Deontay Wilder - Boxer". Boxrec.com. 1985-10-22. Retrieved 2014-06-25.

External links

• Official Deontay Wilder website
• Interview with Deontay (March 2013)
• Article
• Profile on Premier Boxing Champions website
• Profile
• NPR story about Wilder
• Olympic qualifier
• Deontay Wilder amateur boxing record
• Professional boxing record for Deontay Wilder from BoxRec
• Article