Deontay Wilder is ready to bring back the 'killer' as he believes he will not face justice if he takes on the role in Saudi Arabia.
The Alabama-born puncher enters the ring on June 1st in his role as Team Matchroom captain against Jirayi Zhang in an unprecedented 5-on-5 event with Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions. Return.
It will be Wilder's first appearance since Dec. 23, when he had a tough fight against Joseph Parker, dropping a unanimous decision to the New Zealand underdog.
His lackluster performance that night sparked speculation that the 38-year-old fighter might be past his best, but Wilder is confident that a fearsome version of him will be back in time to face Chan. He insisted that it would come.
The former WBC heavyweight belt holder was once criticized for declaring he wanted to keep “the body” on his record ahead of his first fight with Tyson Fury in December 2018. This declaration was widely dismissed as an ill-advised outburst in the heat of the moment. At that moment, the heat that would be in the air after the battle was over. Wilder himself later claimed that this was simply the “Bronze Bomber” speaking, an alter ego that only appeared when he entered the ring.
And he said it again a few months later when he advised Dominic Brizeal to make “funeral arrangements” before their encounter in May 2019.
“Brazeale's life is at stake in this fight, and I feel for his life,” Wilder said at the time. “I'm still trying to get my body on the record…so if it's coming, it's coming. This is a cruel sport. This is not a gentleman's sport.
“We're not asking you to punch each other in the head, but we punch each other in the head anyway. And if you ask any doctor in the world, they'll tell you, you can't beat your head in. It's not… This is the only sport where you can kill someone and get paid for it at the same time. So why not exercise my right to do so?”
And now, after struggling to land any meaningful punches against Parker in the 12th round in December, Wilder says his old self is back, much to the delight of Saudi organizers.
“They are [media and authorities] Wilder said he wasn't really cut out for boxing because he wanted a body that would leave a mark on his record. boxing news.
“But now we've got the Saudis involved and we're saying, 'We want that monster back, we want that murderer back, we want the guy who makes those statements.' When someone like you appreciates you for who you are, you'll want to go back.
“I have the green light to be that way and not have to be criticized. I can be that way without being crucified. I stabbed it and stabbed it.”
Wilder's decision to partner with Team Matchroom marks the first time he will be working with Eddie Hearn despite “long-standing differences”, mainly regarding the elusive fight with Anthony Joshua, which has yet to materialize. It means that.
Commenting on the surprise business deal with Hearn, Wilder added: Years have come and gone, disagreements and various little things have happened, but life brings change and change is always good.
“When you look at it, you have to look at the situation right now and there are interesting fighters like the Saudis out there who are changing everything in boxing. The way we promote it, the way we line up the fights. How, and all those different things. Why not make a change where we can work together?
“You don't have to like each other to do business, but sometimes when you've been together for a long time you understand the other person's way of doing things, and they understand your way of doing things, and you can coexist with each other. That's what it's all about.
“I'm glad we're at this point where we can coexist with each other, because I think it's always been a promoter's dream and it's a dream come true for Eddie as well. I'm happy.” Yes, I'm the captain. ”
Earlier this month, the two attended the press conference to launch the event on June 1st, and even took pictures together. It's a far cry from the rivalry that has been building for a long time.
But Wilder has become more philosophical these days. “Business is always business, you just need to know how to handle business accordingly,” he added.
“There is no ill will on either side, we are just steadfast in what we believe and what we say. But there is respect when we meet each other and there is nothing wrong with that. If I get into an argument with you in front of the kids, I'll tell you how to end it. You never want to leave an argument unresolved or make people question it.
“You may not agree, but that's okay, because over time you may say, 'You were right.'”
However, it is unlikely that Wilder's desire to kill his opponent will be seen as anything other than a grotesque lack of judgment.