Deontay Wilder is an American boxer known for holding the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020. His victory marked a significant moment in boxing as it ended the longest period in history without an American heavyweight champion since 2007.
October 22, 1985: Birth of Deontay Wilder
Deontay Leshun Wilder was born on October 22, 1985.
2000: Audley Harrison Wins Olympic Gold
Audley Harrison achieved Olympic glory in 2000 by winning the gold medal in boxing.
2003: John Ruiz vs. Roy Jones Jr.
In 2003, John Ruiz fought Roy Jones Jr. It was a lucrative heavyweight fight in the United States.
2004: High School Graduation and Life Challenges
Deontay Wilder graduated from Tuscaloosa Central High School in 2004. He faced challenges including the birth of his daughter and academic struggles, leading him to attend Shelton State Community College instead of pursuing his dreams in football or basketball. During this time, he also battled depression and contemplated suicide.
2005: Birth of Wilder's First Child
Deontay Wilder's first child, a daughter, was born in 2005 with spina bifida. The mother is Wilder's ex-girlfriend, Helen Duncan.
2006: Wilder Turns Professional
In 2006, Deontay Wilder turned professional, beginning his career in boxing. This marked the start of his journey in the sport.
2007: Longest Period Without an American Heavyweight Champion Ends
2007 marked the end of the longest period in boxing history without an American heavyweight champion.
2007: Deontay Wilder Wins National Golden Gloves and US Championships
In 2007, Deontay Wilder's talent was evident when he upset the favorites to win both the National Golden Gloves and the US championships in the 201 lb (91 kg) weight class.
2007: 2007 AIBA World Boxing Championships
The 2007 AIBA World Boxing Championships marked a significant event in the world of boxing.
February 29, 2008: Deontay Wilder Faces Defeat Against Evgenyi Romanov
On February 29, 2008, Deontay Wilder experienced a setback in Novosibirsk, Russia, when he was knocked out by Evgenyi Romanov during a Russia-USA dual match.
November 15, 2008: Deontay Wilder's Professional Debut
Deontay Wilder, at the age of 23, made his professional debut on November 15, 2008, at the Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee. He won by TKO against Ethan Cox.
2008: Boxing at the 2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics hosted boxing events where athletes like Deontay Wilder competed.
2008: Deontay Wilder Wins Bronze at the Olympics
Deontay Wilder began boxing at the age of 20 and in 2008, he won a bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the Olympics, earning him the nickname "The Bronze Bomber".
2008: Deontay Wilder's Journey to Olympic Qualification
In 2008, Deontay Wilder secured impressive victories, including one against future Olympic champion Rakhim Chakhiyev, during his qualification journey for the Olympics. He ultimately qualified by defeating Deivis Julio, Jorge Quinones, and Rafael Lima.
2008: Deontay Wilder's Professional Boxing Debut
In 2008, Deontay Wilder made his professional boxing debut.
2008: Deontay Wilder's Olympic Journey
At the 2008 Olympics, Deontay Wilder showcased his skills by defeating Abdelaziz Touilbini and Mohamed Arjaoui. He faced a loss against Clemente Russo in the semi-final, earning a bronze medal for his performance.
2009: Marriage to Jessica Scales-Wilder
Deontay Wilder married Jessica Scales in 2009. They later divorced.
2009: Deontay Wilder's Undefeated Streak in 2009
Throughout 2009, Deontay Wilder maintained an undefeated streak, winning all seven of his fights in the first round, solidifying his reputation as a formidable boxer.
August 2012: Scheduled Bout Between Deontay Wilder and Kelvin Price
A fight between Deontay Wilder and Kelvin Price was initially planned for August 2012.
October 2012: Deontay Wilder Maintains Winning Streak
By October 2012, Deontay Wilder had achieved a 25-fight win streak, showcasing his dominance with knockout victories in all fights, concluding them within four rounds.
December 15, 2012: Deontay Wilder Claims First Professional Title
Deontay Wilder secured his first professional boxing title on December 15, 2012, at the Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles. He knocked out Kelvin Price to win the vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title.
2012: Wilder's Last Fight in Alabama Before Title Defense
Prior to his title defense announcement, Wilder's last fight in Alabama took place in 2012.
April 3, 2013: Deontay Wilder vs. Audley Harrison Announced
On April 3, 2013, a fight between Deontay Wilder and Audley Harrison, a former European heavyweight champion and 2000 Olympic gold medalist, was announced.
May 4, 2013: Arrest for Domestic Battery
On May 4, 2013, Deontay Wilder was arrested in Las Vegas for domestic battery by strangulation. He was later released on bond. The incident allegedly occurred at a hotel, and the victim, a woman, sustained injuries.
May 2013: Wawrzyk's Last Defeat
Andrzej Wawrzyk's only loss prior to his scheduled fight with Wilder was against Alexander Povetkin in May 2013.
August 9, 2013: Deontay Wilder vs. Siarhei Liakhovich
Deontay Wilder fought against former WBO heavyweight champion Siarhei Liakhovich on August 9, 2013, at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California. Wilder won by knockout in the first round.
2013: Povetkin's Last Defeat
Prior to his fight against Wilder, Alexander Povetkin's last defeat occurred in late 2013 against Wladimir Klitschko.
February 2014: Deontay Wilder to Fight Malik Scott in WBC Title Eliminator
In February 2014, it was announced that Deontay Wilder would face Malik Scott in a WBC heavyweight title eliminator bout.
August 2014: Wilder vs. Gavern
Deontay Wilder secured another stoppage victory in August 2014 when he faced Jason Gavern. The fight, which took place in California, ended after round four when Gavern's corner threw in the towel following multiple knockdowns.
January 2015: Wilder vs. Stiverne First Bout
In January 2015, Deontay Wilder fought Bermane Stiverne for the WBC title. Wilder won and knocked out Stiverne, marking a significant milestone in his career.
January 17, 2015: Wilder vs. Stiverne I
On January 17, 2015, Deontay Wilder made history by becoming the first American heavyweight world champion since Shannon Briggs. He achieved this feat by defeating Bermane Stiverne via unanimous decision in Las Vegas, claiming the WBC heavyweight title.
May 8, 2015: Wilder Announces First Title Defense
On May 8, 2015, Deontay Wilder announced his first title defense would be held in his home state of Alabama.
August 2015: Wilder vs. Duhaupas
Deontay Wilder defended his WBC heavyweight title against Johann Duhaupas in August 2015. The fight, which took place in Alabama, saw Wilder win by TKO in the eleventh round, marking the first time Duhaupas had been stopped inside the distance.
December 2015: Wilder vs. Szpilka Confirmed
In December 2015, the WBC heavyweight title fight between Deontay Wilder and Artur Szpilka was confirmed.
2015: Povetkin's Meldonium Use
Alexander Povetkin used meldonium in 2015, a substance that would later be banned. Traces of it were found in his system in 2016, leading to the cancellation of his fight with Wilder.
2015: Deontay Wilder Wins WBC Heavyweight Title
In 2015, Deontay Wilder achieved a significant milestone by winning the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title.
2015: Wilder vs. Stiverne Rematch
In 2015, Deontay Wilder fought Bermane Stiverne for the second time, defending his WBC title and maintaining his undefeated record.
January 16, 2016: Wilder vs. Szpilka
Deontay Wilder successfully defended his WBC heavyweight title against Artur Szpilka on January 16, 2016, in Brooklyn, New York. Wilder won the fight with a ninth-round knockout.
March 2016: Arreola's Suspension Ends
Chris Arreola's 90-day suspension following a positive marijuana test ended in March 2016. This paved the way for his fight against Wilder later that year.
July 16, 2016: Wilder Defeats Arreola, Suffers Injuries
On July 16, 2016, Deontay Wilder fought Chris Arreola, dominating the fight with his jab. Wilder won by TKO in the eighth round but suffered a broken hand and torn biceps during the fight.
December 21, 2016: Wilder vs. Wawrzyk Fight Announced
Initial talks for a Deontay Wilder vs. Andrzej Wawrzyk fight took place on December 21, 2016.
2016: Deontay Wilder's Knockout Power Earns Him Recognition
In 2016, Deontay Wilder's exceptional punching power was recognized when he received the Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year award.
2016: Wilder Sidelined Due to Injuries
Deontay Wilder's injuries sustained during his fight with Chris Arreola, including a broken hand and torn biceps, sidelined him for the rest of 2016.
January 25, 2017: Wawrzyk Fails Drug Test
Andrzej Wawrzyk failed a drug test, forcing him to withdraw from his scheduled fight with Deontay Wilder.
January 30, 2017: Washington Confirmed as Replacement Opponent
Gerald Washington was confirmed as Deontay Wilder's new opponent for the February 25th fight card.
February 14, 2017: Wilder Wins Lawsuit over Canceled Povetkin Fight
On February 14, 2017, Deontay Wilder won a $7 million lawsuit plus legal fees against Alexander Povetkin over their canceled fight. The fight was originally scheduled for May 2016 but was canceled after Povetkin tested positive for meldonium.
February 25, 2017: Wilder vs. Wawrzyk Fight Scheduled
The fight between Deontay Wilder and Andrzej Wawrzyk was scheduled for February 25, 2017, at the Legacy Arena in Alabama.
February 27, 2017: WBC Orders Wilder vs. Stiverne
On February 27, 2017, the WBC ordered Deontay Wilder to fight mandatory challenger Bermane Stiverne. Negotiations were to begin immediately for this bout.
March 2017: Thurman vs. Garcia Crowd Record
In March 2017, the Barclays Center recorded its second-biggest boxing crowd for Thurman vs. Garcia, which was attended by 16,533 people.
July 18, 2017: Wilder vs. Ortiz Negotiations
On July 18, 2017, it was reported that a deal was being negotiated for Deontay Wilder to make his sixth defense of his WBC title against heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz.
November 4, 2017: Wilder vs. Ortiz Announcement
On November 4, 2017, the fight between Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz was officially announced, pending a press conference. The bout was to take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
2017: Wilder Eyes Return, Fury Match Possible
After recovering from his injuries, Deontay Wilder announced a return to boxing in early 2017. There were talks of a potential fight with Hughie Fury.
2017: Wilder Defeats Washington by TKO
Deontay Wilder defeated Gerald Washington by TKO in the fifth round of their fight. Wilder's victory extended his winning streak and showcased his punching power.
2017: Deontay Wilder's Controversial Remarks
In 2017, Deontay Wilder made controversial remarks about wanting to kill an opponent in the ring. He had made similar comments in the past.
2017: Deontay Wilder's Knockout Power Earns Him Recognition
In 2017, Deontay Wilder's exceptional punching power was recognized when he received the Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year award.
March 3, 2018: Wilder vs. Ortiz Agreement
On March 3, 2018, Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz agreed to a fight for Wilder's WBC heavyweight title at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The agreement marked a significant event in Wilder's career.
June 2018: Wilder vs. Joshua Negotiations
In June 2018, negotiations were ongoing for a heavyweight unification fight between Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua. Various hurdles like purse split, date, and venue were being discussed.
August 2018: Tyson Fury vs. Francisco Pianeta
On August 2018 Tyson Fury fought Francisco Pianeta. It was Fury's second fight since his comeback.
September 2018: Joshua vs. Povetkin Announcement
In September 2018, it was announced that Anthony Joshua would fight Alexander Povetkin, delaying the potential unification fight with Deontay Wilder.
November 2018: Wilder vs. Fury Bout Confirmation
In November 2018, the fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury was confirmed to take place in either Las Vegas or New York. The fight would be broadcast on Showtime in the US and BT Sports Box Office in the UK.
December 1, 2018: Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury I
On December 1, 2018, Deontay Wilder fought to a controversial draw with Tyson Fury. The fight, which was Wilder's seventh defense of his WBC heavyweight title, took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
December 2018: Wilder vs. Fury Fight Negotiations
In December 2018, negotiations were ongoing for a fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. The bout was set to take place in either November or December 2018.
2018: Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury I
In 2018, Deontay Wilder faced Tyson Fury for the first time. The fight ended in a draw.
2018: Deontay Wilder vs. Luis Ortiz I
In 2018, Deontay Wilder faced Luis Ortiz for the first time.
April 2019: Joshua-Wilder Fight Planned
In April 2019, a fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder was planned to take place at Wembley Stadium, though details were yet to be finalized.
May 18, 2019: Deontay Wilder vs. Dominic Breazeale
On May 18, 2019, Deontay Wilder defended his WBC heavyweight title against mandatory challenger Dominic Breazeale, winning by knockout in the first round.
November 23, 2019: Deontay Wilder vs. Luis Ortiz II
On November 23, 2019, Deontay Wilder faced Luis Ortiz in a rematch of their 2018 fight, winning by seventh-round knockout to retain his WBC heavyweight title.
November 27, 2019: Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury II Announced
On November 27, 2019, it was announced that Deontay Wilder would face Tyson Fury on February 22, 2020, in a rematch of their 2018 bout.
2019: Deontay Wilder's Knockout Power Earns Him Recognition
Deontay Wilder's exceptional punching power earned him accolades in 2019, including the Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year and the Ring magazine Knockout of the Year awards.
February 22, 2020: Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury II
On February 22, 2020, Deontay Wilder faced Tyson Fury in a rematch of their 2018 bout. Wilder lost the fight, and his WBC heavyweight title, via seventh-round technical knockout.
October 31, 2020: Deontay Wilder Makes Accusations
On October 31, 2020, Deontay Wilder issued a series of statements on social media continuing to accuse Tyson Fury of cheating during their February 22, 2020, fight.
2020: End of Deontay Wilder's WBC Heavyweight Title Reign
Deontay Wilder's reign as the WBC heavyweight champion came to an end in 2020.
May 17, 2021: Arbitration Rules in Favor of Deontay Wilder
On May 17, 2021, arbitration judge Daniel Weinstein ruled that Tyson Fury will have to honor a contractual clause which calls for a third fight with Deontay Wilder.
July 24, 2021: Allegiant Stadium Reserved for Potential Fight
On July 24, 2021, the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was reserved in anticipation of Deontay Wilder's trilogy fight with Tyson Fury. However, the fight did not end up taking place at that time.
May 2022: Bronze Statue Unveiling
In May 2022, a bronze statue honoring Deontay Wilder was unveiled in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The statue pays tribute to his boxing career and nickname, "The Bronze Bomber."
August 2022: Deontay Wilder's Return to the Ring Announced
In August 2022, it was announced that Deontay Wilder would be returning to the ring to face Robert Helenius.
October 15, 2022: Deontay Wilder vs. Robert Helenius
On October 15, 2022, Deontay Wilder faced Robert Helenius. Wilder won the fight by knockout in the first round.
December 23, 2023: Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker
On December 23, 2023 Deontay Wilder fought Joseph Parker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Wilder lost by unanimous decision.
January 2024: Appearance on "The Traitors"
In January 2024, Deontay Wilder appeared as a contestant on season 2 of the television series "The Traitors." He left the show after episode 3 following an emotional reaction to falsely accusing another contestant.
June 1, 2024: Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang
On June 1, 2024, Deontay Wilder faced Zhilei Zhang. Wilder lost the fight by knockout in the fifth round.