Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder
Born	Deontay Leshun Wilder (1985-10-22) October 22, 1985 Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.
Nationality	American
Other names	The Bronze Bomber
Statistics
Weight(s)	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Reach	83 in (211 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	35
Wins	35
Wins by KO	34
Losses	0
Draws	0
Medal record Men's boxing Representing United States Olympic Games 2008 Beijing Heavyweight

Deontay Leshun Wilder (born October 22, 1985) is an American professional boxer and the WBC world 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, originally went by the nickname of "The Brown Bomber"; Wilder replaced "Brown" with "Bronze" in reference to his bronze medal. Wilder is known for his punching power and boasts a 97.1% knockout win ratio.

Amateur career

Wilder started boxing in October 2005. 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.

Professional career

Wilder turned professional in November 2008. He went 22-0 winning every fight by knockout, with no opponent making it to the fourth round. Wilder's early career was notable for his punching power and knockout streak.

Becoming a contender

He fought his first notable opponent in June 2012 against former WBA heavyweight challenger Owen Beck. Wilder scored a third round retirement victory against Beck. On December 15, 2012 he became the WBC Continental Americas heavyweight champion by knocking out Kelvin Price in three rounds. In April 2013, he stopped and ended the career of former European heavyweight champion Audley Harrison inside a round. After Harrison, Wilder made two successful defenses of the WBC Continental Americas title by knocking out former WBO heavyweight champion Siarhei Liakhovich in a round, and then by knocking out veteran heavyweight contender Nikolai Firtha in four rounds.

WBC eliminator and world title bid

Wilder scored another first round knockout of fellow heavyweight contender and skilled boxer Malik Scott in March 2013, to set up his mandatory number one position as challenger for the WBC heavyweight title held by Bermane Stiverne. Five months later he had a warm up fight against Jason Gavern, while waiting for his scheduled bout with Stiverne. He won the fight against Gavern by fourth round retirement.

Becoming WBC heavyweight champion

On January 17, 2015, Wilder fought for the WBC world heavyweight championship against defending champion Bermane Stiverne. He won the fight by twelve round unanimous decision at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. He became the first American heavyweight champion in almost ten years. To date, Wilder has made two successful defenses of his world heavyweight crown against Éric Molina by ninth round knockout and Johann Duhaupas by eleventh round TKO.

He is scheduled to make the third defense of his WBC world heavyweight title against (21-1, 15 KOs) Polish heavyweight Artur Szpilka on January 16, 2016.

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.

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.

Wilder's life story has inspired a children's book — Deontay the Future World Champ. The book revolves around a young Deontay and the sacrifices he has to make in order to achieve his dream of becoming a boxing star.

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. 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".

Championships

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

Olympic results

Boxing at the 2008 Summer Olympics

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

World amateur championships results

• Lost to Krzysztof Zimnoch (Poland) 20-23

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
• Boxing record for Deontay Wilder from BoxRec (registration required)
• Article

Template:Persondata