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	84 in (213 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	33
Wins	33
Wins by KO	32
Losses	0
Draws	0
No contests	0
Medal record Men’s Boxing Representing United States Olympic Games 2008 Beijing Heavyweight

Deontay Leshun Wilder (born October 22, 1985) is an American heavyweight boxer. Wilder is the reigning WBC world heavyweight champion, and currently has a knockout ratio of 96.9%. Wilder holds notable wins over Audley Harrison, Siarhei Liakhovich, Malik Scott and Bermane Stiverne.

Amateur career

Wilder started boxing in October 2005 and in 2007 upset the favorites to win both the National Golden Gloves and the US championships at 201 lb (91 kg).

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 spinal condition, and grade issues forced him to attend nearby Shelton State Community College and to focus on a boxing career.

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 in a Duals.

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.

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

Professional career

Wilder made his professional debut on November 15th 2008. He fought Ethan Cox and won by TKO in the second round. On June 23rd 2012, Wilder took a step up in level and challenged former contender Owen Beck in an eight round contest. Beck retired from the fight after three rounds with the heavy handed prospect. The next fight for Wilder was against Trinidad and Tobago heavyweight journeyman Kertson Manswell on August 4th 2012 in Wilder's native state of Alabama. Wilder scored another quick first round knockout over Manswell, making it his 14th first round knockout win. Wilder claimed his first title (WBC Continental Americas) by knocking out Kelvin Price in three rounds on December 15th 2013 in Los Angeles, California.

On April 27th 2013, Wilder challenged former European heavyweight title holder Audley Harrison in Sheffield, England. Wilder overwhelmed his opponent with a barrage of punches in the first round, prompting the referee to intervene and stop the contest in favor of the rising knockout artist. Four months later on August 9th 2013, Wilder challenged former Belarusian WBO heavyweight champion Siarhei Liakhovich to a bout scheduled for ten rounds. Liakhovich had experience at world level and was expected to give Wilder his toughest contest to date. Wilder landed a viscous right cross to the temple of Liakhovich half way through round one, which rendered the former world champion unconscious and convulsing. Wilder stated after the knockout win that he was a genuine threat to the heavyweight division at world class level.

On October 26th 2013, Wilder scored another knockout win, this time over tough veteran Nicolai Firtha in four rounds in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The year of 2014, bore Wilder the opportunity to become a mandatory challenger for the WBC world heavyweight title held by Bermane Stiverne. On March 15th, Wilder gained his mandatory position after knocking out skilled boxer Malik Scott with a two-punch combination in the first round in Puerto Rico. To prevent inactivity waiting for his chance to fight for the world title, Wilder faced tough journeyman Jason Gavern on August 16th 2014 in Carson, California. Wilder scored two knockdowns over Gavern, before the journeyman retired at the end of the fourth round citing exhaustion.

Wilder's dream came true on January 17th 2015, when he challenged for the WBC world heavyweight title held by defending champion Bermane Stiverne. He displayed a ramrod jab, a good chin, and stamina to go the distance. Wilder had only gone four rounds prior to the fight because he had won all contests early by knockout. Stiverne was noticeably hurt several times throughout the fight, but displayed a granite chin and finished the bout on his feet. Wilder became the first American heavyweight champion since Shannon Briggs won the WBO heavyweight title in 2006.

Personal life

Deontay has a daughter named Naieya, a daughter named Ava and a son named Dereon.

Championships

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

External links

• Official Deontay Wilder Website
• Interview with Deontay (March 2013)
• Article
• Profile
• NPR story about Wilder
• Olympic qualifier
• Deontay Wilder Amateur Boxing Record
• Boxing record for Deontay Wilder from BoxRec (registration required)
• Article

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