Deontay Wilder News
Eddie Hearn reveals Francis Ngannou's boxing debut could come on the same night as Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder
Josh Evanoff - June 22, 2023
Francis Ngannou might make his boxing debut on the same card as Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder. ‘The Predator’ is still waiting to make his return to combat sports, having been out of action for well over a year. In March, the former UFC champion signed with PFL, ending his high-profile free agency. Thanks to the deal, Francis Ngannou retained his right to box, which was one of the factors that forced his move.
Francis Ngannou confirms "advanced discussions" with Deontay Wilder for two-fight deal
Josh Evanoff - June 13, 2023
PFL heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou has confirmed ongoing talks with Deontay Wilder. ‘The Predator’ has been out of the cage for well over a year, since his win over Ciryl Gane in January 2022. That victory went down as his last in the octagon, as he became a free agent earlier this year. In March, Ngannou signed with the PFL, ending his MMA free agency.
Deontay Wilder explains why he wants to fight Francis Ngannou in the PFL: "I can come to yours"
Josh Evanoff - June 9, 2023
Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is willing to step into the PFL smart cage. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ has been out of action since his knockout win over Robert Helenius last fall. That stoppage victory was massive for the former champion, as it snapped a two-fight losing streak. Wilder had famously suffered two knockout losses at the hands of Tyson Fury in 2020 and 2021.
Deontay Wilder confirms he’s had talks about fighting Francis Ngannou: “Something that could truly happen”
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2023
Heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder has confirmed that he has held talks with Francis Ngannou’s team regarding a fight between the two. When you think of heavy hitters in boxing, you think of Deontay Wilder. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is one of the most ferocious knockout artists in the history of the sport, and he’s far from done yet.
Deontay Wilder believes Oleksandr Usyk is scared to fight him
Andrew Whitelaw - May 30, 2023
Deontay Wilder wants a crack at Oleksandr Usyk but believes the unified heavyweight champion is reluctant to fight him out of fear. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ held the WBC heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020, and successfully defended the belt on 10 occasions before losing to Tyson Fury in October 2021. The former Olympian returned to the ring a year later where he knocked out Robert Helenius in the first round.
Deontay Wilder arrested on felony gun charges, 'The Bronze Bomber' reacts
Cole Shelton - May 2, 2023
Deontay Wilder was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning. According to TMZ Sports, Wilder was arrested during a routine traffic stop in Los Angeles. The report states that LAPD officers claimed his Rolls-Royce windows were illegally tinted and his license plate was obstructed. Then, during the stop, the cops smelled an odor of burnt marijuana coming from his ride, so they searched the car. During the search, the police found weed and a 9mm in the vehicle and put Wilder into custody.
Saudi promoter reveals talks underway to host Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder vs. Anthony Joshua on the same event
Cole Shelton - April 19, 2023
Amer Abdallah of Saudi’s Skill Challenge Entertainment is looking to host a mega boxing event this year with Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk as the main event. The Saudi boxing promoter revealed talks are underway to see Fury take on Usyk in the headliner and Deontay Wilder face Anthony Joshua in the co-main event on the same card. It also would not be a tournament, just two heavyweight fights going down on the same night.
Deontay Wilder believes he is the most powerful boxer ever, ahead of Mike Tyson: "That is not even an argument no more, come on"
Cole Shelton - April 12, 2023
Deontay Wilder thinks he is the most powerful puncher in boxing history. Wilder has been known for his vicious one-punch KO power, which helped him win the heavyweight title as he has knocked out every opponent he faced outside of Tyson Fury. With that, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ believes he is the most powerful puncher in boxing history, even ahead of Mike Tyson.
Chael Sonnen sounds off on proposed Francis Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder MMA fight: “Why don’t we just go throw daggers?”
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2023
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has questioned the proposed MMA fight between Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder. Ever since Francis Ngannou left the UFC, fans have been wondering what’s next for him. ‘The Predator’ made it crystal clear, above all else, that he wants to test the waters in boxing.
Deontay Wilder blasts Chael Sonnen after UFC legend calls him a "coward" for boxing Francis Ngannou first over MMA: "A miserable person"
Josh Evanoff - February 20, 2023
Former WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder has gone on the offense against Chael Sonnen. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ made headlines earlier this month for challenging Francis Ngannou to a two-fight series. ‘The Predator’ famously exited the UFC last month after failing to come to terms on a new contract. Ngannou later hinted at a move to the boxing ring, with a return tentatively set for July.
Francis Ngannou verbally agrees to Deontay Wilder's two-fight challenge: "I hope you are a man of your word"
Josh Evanoff - February 17, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has seemingly accepted Deontay Wilder’s challenge. ‘The Predator’ exited the UFC last month after failing to reach an agreement for a new contract. As a result, he was stripped of his heavyweight gold, and Ngannou quickly began targeting a new home. For their part, the UFC quickly booked Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant title in March.
Deontay Wilder offers Francis Ngannou boxing match followed by MMA bout: “I would love to do that one in Africa”
Susan Cox - February 8, 2023
Deontay Wilder has offered Francis Ngannou a boxing match followed by an MMA bout. Francis Ngannou recently parted ways with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and in doing so vacated his heavyweight title. The promotion and Ngannou could not come to terms on a new contract.
Joe Rogan declares Deontay Wilder the most impressive knockout artist in boxing history: "The touch of death"
Ryan Harkness - October 18, 2022
Joe Rogan has a massive amount of respect for Deontay Wilder’s knockout abilities after watching ‘The Bronze Bomber’ knockout out Robert Helenius in the first round last weekend. Wilder came into the fight looking to re-establish himself as one of the most dangerous heavyweights in boxing and shake off back-to-back losses to Tyson Fury. He did just that, catching Helenius with a huge right hand moving backwards that crumpled his opponent to the canvas unconscious.
Deontay Wilder has his next opponent picked: "If he a man of his word, what a hell of a fight it would be"
Ryan Harkness - October 17, 2022
Deontay Wilder returned to his winning ways on Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, knocking Robert Helenius out in the first round with a thunderous right hand. His opponent didn’t just go down, he stayed down with his eyes staring up into the rafters. It was a solid reminder that ‘The Bronze Bomber’ has dynamite in his fists. Robert Helenius was a former sparring partner of Wilder’s and something of a palate cleanser for the heavyweight knockout artist after back-to-back losses to Tyson Fury. Now Deontay is looking to get back into the title picture, and he’s got some targets to do that. When asked in the ring who might be next, Wilder said they wanted Oleksandr Usyk, but doubted Usyk would fight him.
Deontay Wilder breaks down in tears at post-fight press conference (Video)
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 16, 2022
Deontay Wilder is coming off quite an emotional night after getting back in the win column. Wilder took center stage in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions PPV card. “The Bronze Bomber” shared the ring with Robert Helenius inside Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. This one didn’t even come close to going the distance. That’s because Wilder shut the lights off Helenius in the first round.
Pros react after Deontay Wilder brutally KO's Robert Helenius
Christopher Taylor - October 15, 2022
Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder returned to the squared circle against Robert Helenius this evening in New York. Wilder (43-2-1, 41 KO’s) was competing for the first time since suffering a knockout loss in his trilogy bout with Tyson Fury twelve months ago. Prior to his two losses to ‘The Gypsy King‘, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ had put together a forty-three-fight unbeaten streak.
Deontay Wilder "most definitely" interested in boxing Francis Ngannou
Ryan Harkness - October 12, 2022
If Francis Ngannou finds it difficult to lock in a boxing superfight against the mercurial Tyson Fury, he now has a solid backup in Deontay Wilder. Ngannou is currently sitting out the rest of 2022 with a bad knee injury suffered in his heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane in January. That also happened to be the last bout on his UFC contract, and his management believes a five year sunset clause overrides the promotion’s standard champion clause. If they’re right, Francis Ngannou will become a free agent at the start of 2023.
Deontay Wilder shares his prediction for Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2: “He just looks like a different man, he looks more broken”
Harry Kettle - August 19, 2022
Deontay Wilder has given his thoughts on the upcoming rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua this weekend. Last September, Oleksandr Usyk surprised a lot of fight fans and pundits by defeating Anthony Joshua to capture the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles. It was always expected that the pair would run it back at some point and on Saturday night, that’s exactly what will happen over in Saudi Arabia as Usyk puts the belts on the line in the name of trying to end this Joshua rivalry once and for all.