Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder
Born	Deontay Leshun Wilder (1985-10-22) October 22, 1985 Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Other names	The Bronze Bomber
Nationality	American
Height	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight	220 lb (100 kg; 16 st)
Division	Heavyweight
Reach	84 in (213 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Years active	2008-present
Professional boxing record
Total	33
Wins	33
By knockout	32
Losses	0
By knockout	0
Draws	0
No contests	0
Other information
Boxing record from Boxrec
Medal record Men’s Boxing Competitor for  United States Olympic Games Bronze 2008 Beijing Heavyweight
last updated on: April 28, 2015

Deontay Leshun Wilder (born October 22, 1985) is an American heavyweight boxer. Wilder is currently undefeated as a professional, and holds the WBC world heavyweight championship. He is considered one of the hardest punchers in the heavyweight division with a knockout ratio of 96.9%. Wilder has scored 18 knockouts in the first round.

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).

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.^[1]

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 made his professional debut on November 15th 2008. He fought Ethan Cox and won by TKO in the second round. ^[2] 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. ^[3] 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 2012 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 Stiverne. He displayed a ramrod jab, a good chin, and stamina to go the distance. Wilder's longest bout was four rounds prior to the fight, Wilder having 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. ^[4]

Championships

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

Olympic results

Boxing at the 2008 Summer Olympics^[5]

• 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 boxing record

33 Wins (32 knockouts), 0 Losses, 0 Draws[6]
Res.	Record	Opponent	Type	Rd., Time	Date	Location	Notes
style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | N/A	style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | N/A	style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | N/A	style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | N/A	style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | N/A	2015-06-13	Bartow Arena, Birmingham, Alabama	Defending WBC Heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	33–0	Bermane Stiverne	UD	12	2015-01-17	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won WBC Heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	32–0	Jason Gavern	RTD	4 (10), 3:00	2014-08-16	StubHub Center, Carson, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	31–0	Malik Scott	KO	1 (12), 1:36	2014-03-15	Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Pueblo of Bayamón, Bayamón
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	30–0	Nicolai Firtha	KO	4 (10), 1:26	2013-10-26	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey	Retained WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	29–0	Siarhei Liakhovich	KO	1 (10), 1:43	2013-08-09	Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California	Retained WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	28–0	Audley Harrison	TKO	1 (12), 1:10	2013-04-27	Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield, Yorkshire
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	27–0	Matthew Greer	KO	2 (8), 1:44	2013-01-19	Centro de Convenciones, Villahermosa, Tabasco
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	26–0	Kelvin Price	KO	3 (10), 0:51	2012-12-15	Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California	Won vacant WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	25–0	Damon McCreary	KO	2 (10), 0:55	2012-09-08	The Hangar, Costa Mesa, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	24–0	Kertson Manswell	TKO	1 (10), 2:10	2012-08-04	Mobile Civic Center–Expo Hall, Mobile, Alabama
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	23–0	Owen Beck	RTD	3 (8), 3:00	2012-06-23	Killer Buzz Arena, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	22–0	Jesse Oltmanns	KO	1 (8), 0:26	2012-05-26	Oasis Hotel Complex, Cancún, Quintana Roo
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	21–0	Marlon Hayes	TKO	4 (8), 3:00	2012-02-25	Scottrade Center, Saint Louis, Missouri
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	20–0	David Long	KO	1 (8), 1:17	2011-11-26	U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	19–0	Daniel Cota	KO	3 (8), 2:55	2011-11-05	Centro de Cancun, Cancún, Quintana Roo
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	18–0	Dominique Alexander	TKO	2 (6), 2:02	2011-08-27	Water Oaks Farm Arena, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	17–0	Damon Reed	KO	2 (8), 1:59	2011-06-18	Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	16–0	Reggie Pena	TKO	1 (6), 2:03	2011-05-06	Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	15–0	DeAndrey Abron	TKO	2 (6), 1:23	2011-02-19	Shelton State Community College, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	14–0	Danny Sheehan	KO	1 (6), 1:48	2010-12-02	Hilton Towers Ballroom, Lafayette, Louisiana
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	13–0	Harold Sconiers	TKO	4 (6), 1:09	2010-10-15	Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	12–0	Shannon Caudle	KO	1 (6), 1:04	2010-09-25	Fitzgerald's Casino & Hotel, Tunica, Mississippi
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	11–0	Dustin Nichols	RTD	1 (6), 3:00	2010-07-03	Club Palace, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	10–0	Alvaro Morales	KO	3 (6), 1:23	2010-04-30	Tropicana Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	9–0	Ty Cobb	KO	1 (6), 0:33	2010-04-02	Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	8–0	Jerry Vaughn	KO	1 (6), 1:02	2009-11-28	Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	7–0	Travis Allen	TKO	1 (4), 1:30	2009-08-14	Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	6–0	Kelsey Arnold	KO	1 (4), 1:13	2009-06-26	Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	5–0	Charles Brown	KO	1 (6), 0:55	2009-05-23	Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	4–0	Joseph Rabotte	KO	1 (4), 2:33	2009-04-24	UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	3–0	Richard Greene Jr	RTD	1 (4), 3:00	2009-03-14	Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	2–0	Shannon Gray	TKO	1 (4), 2:12	2009-03-06	Trotter Convention Center, Columbus, Mississippi
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	1–0	Ethan Cox	TKO	2 (4), 2:54	2008-11-15	Memorial Gymnasium, Nashville, Tennessee	Professional debut.

References

External links

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