Deontay Wilder once hit someone on the gloves with so much force that he broke their wrist. The WBC heavyweight champion was no older than 10 at the time.
His power can be described as frightening, bludgeoning, destructive… three adjectives that still do not represent a true reflection of what the ‘Bronze Bomber’ possesses from shoulder to fist on two arms that have made sure only one of his 40 opponents (Bermane Stiverne in 2015) have heard the final bell. Two years later, in a rematch, Stiverne wouldn’t see round two!
Opponent number 41, although not confirmed, looks like being boxing’s Rubik’s cube – Tyson Fury. The fight promotion began in Belfast when Deontay travelled to Northern Ireland’s capital, to watch Fury toy with Francesco Pianeta for ten rounds, receiving a hero’s welcome that only the likes of local lad Carl Frampton have become accustomed to in recent years.
“There’s no-one in the world that I can grab that will help me to train for Tyson,” Wilder said when speaking to GIVEMESPORT last month about the proposed heavyweight showdown.
“I can train for certain things and just like him he’s not going to find anyone in the world with my awkwardness and most of all what makes me so dangerous, which no one can prepare for, is not just the awkwardness but the power. Nobody possesses the power that I do in the sport and that’s not being arrogant, that’s not being cocky, numbers don’t lie.”
Raw Power
Wilder’s power is one of the most feared and talked about traits in boxing. Gennady Golovkin can break you down and dim the lights, Wilder – like many a heavyweight – can turn them off.
“To be honest I don’t ever think about my power,” said Wilder.
“It’s something that’s always been with me. I’ve always been strong, I’ve always been that skinny little kid that can do it just like the bigger guys. My physique just wasn’t there. That’s why I tell people don’t judge a book by its cover. I’d rather be the part than look the part. I’m in disguise. I may not look what I am but until you test me, until you try me then what a surprise you uncover!
“I am the man that has the power in this division and I know that in the back of my head so that’s why I don’t go in thinking to try and knock these guys out. If I try to knock them out it’ll never happen, it’ll take me so much longer. They can anticipate it. If you’re going 12 rounds, 36 minutes, one thing’s for sure someone’s gonna get hit. I know I’m very accurate with my right hand, and the things that I throw, so my slogan is always: ‘I don’t know when it’s coming but it’s coming and when it comes? Bam baby. Good night.’”