Deontay Wilder Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life

Deontay Wilder Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life
Deontay Wilder – Biography, Childhood, Career, Accomplishments & Awards. (Photo credit: usatoday.com)

Deontay Leshun Wilder (born 22 Oct. 1985) is an American professional boxer who held the WBC heavyweight title for five straight years. From 2015 up till 2020, Wilder held on to his WBC heavyweight championship, defending it through the years. Wilder who is a feared boxer is blessed with a sturdy figure and a well-built physique. He brought boxing’s glory back to America in 2015 when he claimed the WBC heavyweight title, thus becoming the first American boxer to hold a heavyweight championship title in 9 years. In this Deontay Wilder biography facts, childhood, career, net worth and personal life, we take a look at the life of the top heavyweight boxer.

Throughout his professional career which has lasted over a decade, Wilder has fought in 44 fights and has seen defeat just once. On 41 of his 44 fights, Wilder has won by knockout and drawn just once.

Deontay Wilder Biography Facts, Age, Info

  • Full Name: Deontay Leshun Wilder
  • Nickname: The Bronze Bomber
  • Date of Birth: October 22, 1985 (age 38)
  • Place of Birth: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Nationality: American
  • Height: 6ft 7 in (201cm)
  • Weight: 96 kg
  • Reach: 83 in (211 cm)
  • Education: Tuscaloosa Central High School; Shelton State Community College
  • Father: Gary Wilder
  • Mother: Deborah Wilder
  • Spouse: Telli Swift (engaged)
  • Children: Naieya Wilder (daughter), Deontay Wilder Jr. (son), Ava Wilder (daughter), Dereon Wilder (son)
  • Sibling: Marsellos Wilder (brother)
  • Net Worth: $30 million
  • Occupation: Boxer
  • Weight/Division: Heavyweight
  • Zodiac Sign: Libra

Deontay Wilder Childhood Story and Early Life

Deontay Wilder was born on October 22, 1985, to his father, Gary Wilder and mother, Deborah Wilder. Not many facts are known about Deontay Wilder’s childhood and early life. Wilder wanted to become a footballer or a basketball player. He wanted to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide, his hometown team, but it didn’t work out.

Wilder got married very early, and the birth of his children added responsibility to the shoulders of a young Wilder. His daughter had spinal problems, which compounded Wilder’s financial perils. In order to meet up with his financial responsibility as a father, Wilder took numerous jobs, including working as a Greene Beverage Company driver. He eventually turned to box as a means of gaining financial freedom.

Deontay Wilder Amature Career

In 2005, Wilder who was 20 years old, turned toward boxing. He began boxing at the Sky Boxing Gym in Alabama. In two years time, Wilder progressed quickly to become a force to reckon in amateur boxing. He won the US championships and the National Golden Gloves. Wilder who was determined to establish his presence in the boxing world went on to defeat Quantis Graves in the Olympics trials. After winning 21 bouts, Wilder earned a place in the Olympics. Before the Olympics, he fought Evgenyi Romanov, in a Russia-USA fight in February 2008. Wilder lost the bout. He went on to emerge bronze medalist at the 2008 Olympics. He ended his amateur career with a 30-5 record.

Deontay Wilder Professional Career, Boxing Records and Stats

Total Fights: 44
Wins: 42 (41 by KO)
Losses: 1
Draws: 1

In November 2008, Wilder made his professional debut as a boxer against Ethan Cox at the Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium, in Tennessee. Wilder won the bout by Technical knockout. The next year, Wilder fought in 7 bouts and won all fights in the first round. Wilder continued to show how deadly he was as he continued in his boxing career. Wilder was on a 25 boxing bout win by October 2012. He had won all fights in the first four rounds and by knockout. In December 2012, Wilder defeated Kelvin Price by knockout to claim the WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title.

In April 2013, Wilder fought 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medal winner, Audley Harrison, in the Motorpoint Arena, located in Sheffield. That was Wilder’s first fight in the UK. He went on to defeat Harrison, who retired after his defeat. Wilder’s next fight came in August 2013, against Siarhei Liakhovich, a former WBO heavyweight champion. Wilder defeated Siarhei Liakhovich. Following his fight with Siarhei Liakhovich, Wilder fought Nicolai Firtha, in October 2013. He defeated Nicolai Firtha, to maintain his winning streak.

In March 2014, Wilder fought Malik Scott, whom he defeated. Following his win over Malik Scott, a showdown was set between Wilder, who became the mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight title, and Bermane Stiverne, the newly crowned champion. Wilder winning streak continued after he defeated Jason Gavern in August 2014. In January 2015, Wilder fought in the Return to Glory bout against WBC heavyweight champion, Bermane Stiverne. After fighting for twelve rounds, Wilder was announced as the winner by the judges’ unanimous decision.

He thus became the WBC heavyweight champion. He dedicated his win to his disabled daughter and Muhammad Ali, his boxing hero. For the fight, Wilder was awarded $1 million. After the fight, he cut ties with Golden Boy Promotions and made Al Haymon his manager. After Wilder announced that he’ll hold his first title defence bout in Alabama, he chose Eric Molina as his opponent. The fight which was the first heavyweight bout held in Alabama had sold-out spectators of 9,347 in attendance.

Wilder went on to win the bout and was awarded $1.4 million for his win. His next title defence bout came up in August 2015 against Johann Duhaupas. The fight which was held in Alabama had 8,471 in attendance. Wilder went on to defend his title and was given the sum of $1.4 million for his win. In December 2015, he defended his title against Artur Szpilka, a Polish boxer. During the fight, Artur Szpilka became unconscious following a punch from Wilder, which ended the contest. At the end of the bout, Tyson Fury came into the ring and had a fierce exchange with Wilder. Wilder told the press in a post-match conference, that he was not happy about Artur Szpilka unconsciousness. Artur Szpilka eventually woke up. For his win, Wilder was awarded $1.5 million.

His knockout was made, Premier Boxing Champion Knockout of The Year. His next bout was against Alexander Povetkin, but the fight plans fell through after Alexander Povetkin tested positive to meldonium. His next fight came up in May 2016, against Chris Arreola, who Wilder defeated. Wilder sustained torn biceps as well as a broken right hand after the fight. Wilder had surgery as a result of his injuries which ruled him out of action for the rest of the year. He received $1.4 million for his win. Following his recovery in November 2016, he was set to face Andrzej Wawrzyk for his title defence. But after Andrzej Wawrzyk failed some drug tests, his new opponent was confirmed to be Gerald Washington.

In February 2017, he fought against Gerald Washington in Alabama, in front of 12,346 spectators. He defeated Gerald Washington and received $900,000 for his win. In February 2017, a bout between Wilder and Bermane Stiverne was negotiated. But the fight didn’t take place until October 2017 as a result of Bermane Stiverne missing a drug test. In the bout between Wilder and Stiverne, Wilder defeated Stiverne by knockout in front of 10,924 spectators. He earned $1.4 million from the fight. A bout between Wilder and Luis Ortiz had longed been negotiated since 2017, but plans fell through as a result of Luis Ortiz failed drug tests.

A deal was finally finalized for the fight to take place in March 2018. Wilder nearly lost the fight in round 7. In round 10, of the fight, Wilder knocked out Ortiz. The fight had 14,069 spectators in attendance. He received $2.1 million for his win, the highest he had collected in his career. In December 2018, a much-anticipated bout between Wilder and Tyson Fury went down at the Staples Center with 17,698 in attendance. The fight was toughly contested. The judges, Phil Edwards from Britain, scored both fighters 113, a draw, Alejandro Rochin, the Mexican referee, scored the fighters 115–111 in favour of Wilder and Robert Tapper, a Canadian referee judged both fighters, 114–112 in favour of Fury. The fight ended in a draw.

Photo of Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury
Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury in action. (Photo credit: Associated Newspapers Ltd/Shutterstock)

The fighters then called Anthony Joshua, stating that they were two best heavyweight fighters in the world. In May 2019, he defeated Dominic Breazeale by knockout to retain his WBC heavyweight title. He then fought Luis Ortiz in a rematch and defeated the boxer in the 7th round by knockout.

On 22 January 2020, Wilder faced Tyson Fury in a rematch of their 2018 boxing bout which was where Wilder registered the first and only draw of his career. This time, Wilder lost his WBC heavyweight title to Fury in the 7th round by technical knockout.

Deontay Wilder Net Worth, Salary and Sponsorship

Deontay Wilder’s net worth is currently estimated at $30 million. In 2019, he earned $30 million from his fights. He has a sponsored deal with Everlast.

Deontay Wilder Personal Life and Relationships

Wilder is a father to 5 children. His first daughter Naieya Wilder has spina bifida. He was told that she may never walk.

Wilder has been romantically linked with several women. Helen Duncan was Wilder’s first romantic partner. Their relationship lasted for a long time and together, they had their first daughter Naieya in 2005. After his long-term relationship with Helen was severed, Wilder got married to his now ex-wife, Jessica Scales in 2009 and the couple had three children together before they divorced in 2017. The cause of their separation was reportedly due to Wilder’s extramarital affairs.

Deontay Wilder with his ex-wife Jessica Scales and their children
Deontay Wilder with his ex-wife, Jessica Scales and their three children—Ava Wilder, Deontay Wilder Jr. and Dereon Wilder. (Photo credit: fabwags.com and bronzebomber/Instagram)

Wilder is currently engaged to his girlfriend, Telli Swift, a reality TV star famous for her appearance on WAGs Atlanta, who has a daughter for him born on March 7, 2018. Wilder reportedly started dating Telli Swift since in 2015.

Deontay Wilder with Telli Swift and their daughter
Deontay Wilder with his fiancee, Telli Swift and their daughter in 2018. (Photo credit: The Sun)

His younger brother, Marsellos Wilder, is a cruiserweight division professional boxer.

SEE MORE: Biography facts and profile of famous boxers


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