Deontay Wilder facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Deontay Wilder
Wilder in 2018
Statistics
Real name	Deontay Leshun Wilder
Nickname(s)	The Bronze Bomber Dr. Sleep
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 7 in
Reach	83 in
Born	(1985-10-22) October 22, 1985 (age 39) Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	49
Wins	44
Wins by KO	43
Losses	4
Draws	1
Medal record Men's amateur boxing Golden Gloves Gold 2007 Chattanooga Heavyweight U.S. National Championships Gold 2007 Colorado Springs Heavyweight Representing  United States Olympic Games Bronze 2008 Beijing Heavyweight

Deontay Leshun Wilder (born October 22, 1985) is an American professional boxer. He was the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion from 2015 to 2020. When he won the title, Wilder became the first American heavyweight champion since 2007. This was the longest time in boxing history without an American heavyweight champion.

Wilder started boxing later than most, at 20 years old. As an amateur, he won a bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the 2008 Olympics. This led to his nickname, "the Bronze Bomber." He chose this name after Joe Louis, who was known as "the Brown Bomber."

Wilder is famous for his incredibly strong punches. Many people say he is one of the hardest punchers in boxing history. He has a very high percentage of wins by knockout. Many of his knockouts (48%) happened in the first round. He has won several "Knockout of the Year" awards.

Amateur Boxing Career

Wilder began boxing in October 2005. He started training at Skyy Boxing Gym in Northport, Alabama, when he was 20.

By 2007, he surprised everyone by winning both the National Golden Gloves and the US championships in the heavyweight division.

At the Golden Gloves, he beat tough opponents like Isiah Thomas. At the U.S. championship, he defeated Quantis Graves and James Zimmerman.

He qualified for the Olympics after only 21 fights. In 2008, he had a big win against future Olympic champion Rakhim Chakhiyev in Russia.

Wilder competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He won against Abdelaziz Touilbini and Mohamed Arjaoui. He then lost to Clemente Russo of Italy in the semi-final, earning a bronze medal.

Wilder's amateur record was about 30 wins and 5 losses.

Olympic Boxing Results

Boxing at the 2008 Summer Olympics:

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

Professional Boxing Career

Early Fights

Wilder started his professional career at age 23 on November 15, 2008. He fought Ethan Cox in Nashville, Tennessee, and won by knockout in the second round. Wilder fought seven times in 2009, winning all fights in the first round. By October 2012, Wilder had won 25 fights in a row, all by knockout. All these wins happened within four rounds.

Wilder won his first professional title on December 15, 2012. He knocked out Kelvin Price in Los Angeles. Wilder won the vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title. He successfully defended this title twice.

Rising to the Top

On April 27, 2013, Wilder fought former European champion Audley Harrison in England. Harrison had said he would retire if he lost. Wilder knocked out Harrison in the first round. Harrison retired four days later.

In August 2013, Wilder fought former WBO heavyweight champion Siarhei Liakhovich. Wilder knocked out Liakhovich in the first round. Liakhovich went down hard and the referee stopped the fight.

Two months later, Wilder knocked out Nicolai Firtha in four rounds. In March 2014, Wilder fought Malik Scott in a fight to decide who would challenge for the WBC heavyweight title. Wilder knocked out Scott in the first round. This win made Wilder the official challenger for the WBC heavyweight title.

In August 2014, Wilder fought Jason Gavern. Gavern was knocked down twice, and his corner stopped the fight after the fourth round.

Becoming WBC Heavyweight Champion

Wilder in 2015

On January 17, 2015, Wilder fought Bermane Stiverne for the WBC heavyweight title. Wilder won by a unanimous decision after twelve rounds. This meant he became the first American heavyweight world champion since Shannon Briggs. Wilder showed he could fight for all twelve rounds and use his jab well. After the fight, Wilder dedicated his win to his daughter and to his boxing hero Muhammad Ali.

First Title Defenses

On June 13, 2015, Wilder defended his title for the first time in his home state of Alabama. He fought Éric Molina. Wilder dominated the fight, knocking Molina down several times. He won by knockout in the ninth round.

In August 2015, Wilder defended his title again against Johann Duhaupas. Wilder won by knockout in the eleventh round. Duhaupas was tough and had never been stopped before. Wilder praised Duhaupas's strength after the fight.

Deontay Wilder with his WBC Championship Belt

In January 2016, Wilder defended his WBC title against Artur Szpilka. Wilder won by a powerful knockout in the ninth round. After the fight, Tyson Fury entered the ring and challenged Wilder. Wilder was concerned for Szpilka's health after the knockout.

Challenges and Injuries

Wilder was supposed to fight Alexander Povetkin in May 2016 in Russia. However, the fight was canceled because Povetkin failed a drug test.

On July 16, 2016, Wilder fought Chris Arreola. Wilder won when Arreola's corner stopped the fight after eight rounds. Wilder had broken his right hand and torn his biceps during the fight. This injury kept him out of the ring for the rest of 2016.

Wilder returned to the ring on February 25, 2017. He fought Gerald Washington in Alabama. Wilder won by knockout in the fifth round. Washington started strong, but Wilder found his rhythm and finished the fight.

Rematch with Stiverne

On November 4, 2017, Wilder had a rematch with Bermane Stiverne. Wilder won very quickly, knocking Stiverne down three times in the first round. The referee stopped the fight at 2:59 of the first round. Wilder then challenged Anthony Joshua to a fight.

Tough Fight with Ortiz

On March 3, 2018, Wilder fought Luis Ortiz. Wilder won by knockout in the tenth round. It was a very tough fight. Wilder was hurt badly in the seventh round but managed to survive. He then came back strong in the tenth round to knock Ortiz out. Wilder praised Ortiz after the fight, calling him a "crafty guy."

Draw with Tyson Fury

On December 1, 2018, Wilder fought Tyson Fury. The fight ended in a split decision draw, meaning neither boxer won. Wilder kept his WBC title. Fury used his unusual style to avoid many of Wilder's big punches. Wilder knocked Fury down in the ninth and twelfth rounds. However, Fury got up both times, especially in the twelfth round, which surprised everyone. Many people thought Fury had done enough to win.

More Title Defenses

On May 18, 2019, Wilder defended his WBC title against Dominic Breazeale. Wilder won by knockout in the first round. He landed a powerful right punch that sent Breazeale to the canvas. Despite some strong words before the fight, Wilder showed respect for Breazeale afterward.

In a rematch on November 23, 2019, Wilder faced Luis Ortiz again. Wilder won by knockout in the seventh round. He was behind on the judges' scorecards before landing the knockout punch. Wilder called Ortiz "the most dangerous heavyweight in the division." This win was Wilder's tenth successful defense of his heavyweight title, matching Muhammad Ali's record.

Losing the Title to Fury

On February 22, 2020, Wilder had a rematch with Tyson Fury. Wilder lost the fight by knockout in the seventh round. Fury knocked Wilder down in the third and fifth rounds. Wilder's trainer stopped the fight by throwing in the towel. Wilder lost his WBC heavyweight title.

After Losing the Title

Third Fight with Fury

On October 9, 2021, Wilder fought Tyson Fury for a third time. Both boxers weighed their heaviest for this fight. Fury won the fight by knockout in the eleventh round. Both fighters were knocked down multiple times in this exciting match. Wilder knocked Fury down twice in the fourth round. Fury knocked Wilder down in the third, tenth, and eleventh rounds. After the fight, Wilder congratulated Fury.

Return to Winning Ways

On October 15, 2022, Wilder had his first fight after his loss to Fury. He faced Robert Helenius. Wilder knocked out Helenius with a short right punch in the first round.

Facing Joseph Parker

On December 23, 2023, Wilder fought former WBO champion Joseph Parker. Parker won the fight by a unanimous decision after twelve rounds. Parker fought smartly, avoiding Wilder's powerful right hand and landing his own punches. Wilder showed some "ring rust" from not fighting for a long time. Despite the loss, Wilder said he was happy and would not retire.

Recent Fights

Wilder faced Zhilei Zhang on June 1, 2024. He lost the fight by knockout in the fifth round.

On June 27, 2025, Wilder returned to the ring against Tyrrell Anthony Herndon. Wilder won by knockout in the seventh round. He knocked Herndon down twice before the referee stopped the fight. Wilder said he was glad to be back in the ring.

Personal Life

Wilder has eight children. His first child, a daughter, was born in 2005 with spina bifida. Wilder also has children with his ex-wife, Jessica Scales-Wilder, and his current fiancée, Telli Swift.

Wilder's family includes preachers, like his father and grandmother. He has three sisters and a younger brother, Marsellos Wilder, who is also a professional boxer. Wilder grew up attending church and believes that "God is very important in my life."

Wilder graduated from high school in 2004. He had dreamed of playing football or basketball. However, the birth of his oldest daughter led him to focus on a boxing career. Wilder has spoken about struggling with sadness in the past.

In May 2022, Wilder was honored with a bronze statue in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This statue celebrates his nickname, "The Bronze Bomber."

In January 2024, Wilder was a contestant on the American TV show The Traitors. He left the show after the third episode.

Professional Boxing Record

Pay-per-view Bouts

See also

In Spanish: Deontay Wilder para niños

• List of world heavyweight boxing champions
• List of WBC world champions
• List of Olympic medalists in boxing
• Boxing at the 2008 Summer Olympics