History of Deontay Wilder in Timeline

Deontay Leshun Wilder is a professional American boxer, best known for holding the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020. His win marked the first time an American had held a world heavyweight title since 2007, ending the longest title drought for the United States in boxing history.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

October 22, 1985: Deontay Wilder's Birth

On October 22, 1985, Deontay Leshun Wilder was born. He is an American professional boxer.

Others born on this day/year

2003: Most lucrative heavyweight fight in the country

In 2003, the Wilder vs. Fury fight was the most lucrative heavyweight fight in the United States since John Ruiz vs. Roy Jones Jr., grossing around $30 million.

October 2005: Started Boxing at Skyy Boxing Gym

In October 2005, Deontay Wilder began his boxing career at the age of 20. He started training at Skyy Boxing Gym in Northport, Alabama, under Jay Deas.

2007: Wins National Golden Gloves and US Championships

In 2007, Deontay Wilder overcame expectations to win both the National Golden Gloves and the US championships at 201 lb (91 kg), marking an early career success.

February 29, 2008: Knocked out by Evgenyi Romanov

On February 29, 2008, Deontay Wilder was knocked out by Evgenyi Romanov during a Russia-USA dual match in Novosibirsk, Russia.

November 15, 2008: Professional Debut

On November 15, 2008, Deontay Wilder made his professional boxing debut at the Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee, defeating Ethan Cox by a second-round technical knockout.

2008: Bronze Medal at the Olympics

In 2008, Deontay Wilder won a bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the Olympics. This achievement led to his nickname "the Bronze Bomber."

2009: Seven Wins in Round One

In 2009, Deontay Wilder won all seven of his fights, each ending in the first round, showcasing his early dominance in the boxing ring.

August 2012: Original Date for Price Fight

August 2012 was the originally scheduled date for Deontay Wilder's fight against Kelvin Price, which was later moved to December 15, 2012.

October 2012: 25-Fight Win Streak

By October 2012, Deontay Wilder had achieved a 25-fight win streak, with all wins by knockout within four rounds, establishing his reputation as a formidable boxer.

December 15, 2012: Won WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Title

On December 15, 2012, Deontay Wilder won the vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title by knocking out Kelvin Price at the Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles.

April 3, 2013: Fight Announcement vs. Audley Harrison

On April 3, 2013, Golden Boy Promotions announced that Deontay Wilder would fight Audley Harrison on April 27 at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, marking Wilder's UK debut.

June 15, 2013: Fight with Derek Chisora Falls Through

On June 15, 2013, a planned fight between Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora at Wembley Arena fell through after Wilder's arrest in May.

August 9, 2013: Wilder vs. Liakhovich

On August 9, 2013, Deontay Wilder fought Siarhei Liakhovich at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California, knocking him out in the first round, which resulted in Liakhovich protesting the outcome.

February 2014: Fight Announcement vs Malik Scott

In February 2014, it was announced that Deontay Wilder would fight Malik Scott in an eliminator for the WBC heavyweight title.

August 2014: Defeats Jason Gavern

In August 2014, Deontay Wilder defeated Jason Gavern by TKO after Gavern's corner threw in the towel after round four at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

January 17, 2015: Wins WBC Heavyweight Title

On January 17, 2015, Deontay Wilder defeated Bermane Stiverne by unanimous decision to win the WBC heavyweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, becoming the first American heavyweight world champion since Shannon Briggs.

May 8, 2015: Announcement of First Title Defense in Alabama

On May 8, 2015, Deontay Wilder announced that his first title defense would be in his home state of Alabama, marking the first heavyweight title fight in the state.

August 2015: Announcement of Second Defense vs. Duhaupas

In August 2015, it was announced that Deontay Wilder would make his second defense against Johann Duhaupas on September 26 at the Legacy Arena, Alabama.

2015: Showtime registered over 1 million viewers

In 2015, Showtime registered over 1 million viewers when Deontay Wilder defeated Stiverne for the WBC title.

2016: Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year Award

In 2016, Deontay Wilder won the Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year award, recognizing his exceptional punching power.

2017: Second Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year Award

In 2017, Deontay Wilder won his second Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year award, highlighting his continued success as a boxer.

March 3, 2018: Potential fight for Wilder's WBC heavyweight title

On March 3, 2018, a potential fight for Deontay Wilder's WBC heavyweight title against Luis Ortiz was scheduled to take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

June 2018: Negotiations Took a Turn

In June 2018, negotiations between the Joshua and Wilder camps for a heavyweight unification fight faced hurdles regarding purse split, date, and venue. The WBA gave Joshua's camp 24 hours to finalize a deal with Povetkin.

August 2018: Fury weighed in against Francisco Pianeta

In August 2018, Tyson Fury weighed in at 258+1⁄2 pounds against Francisco Pianeta.

September 2018: Joshua vs. Povetkin Announced

In September 2018, Joshua vs. Povetkin was officially announced, signaling a shift away from the potential Joshua-Wilder fight. The Joshua-Wilder fight was rescheduled for April 2019.

November 2018: Fury vs Wilder fight to take place in Las Vegas or New York

In November 2018, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder were scheduled to fight in either Las Vegas or New York. The fight was to be aired on PPV in the United States on Showtime and in the UK on BT Sports Box Office.

December 1, 2018: Wilder vs. Fury fight

On December 1, 2018, Wilder and Fury fought, with Wilder guaranteed a base purse of $4 million and Fury $3 million. Wilder could make $14 million and Fury around $10.25 million, increasing after pay-per-view revenue.

December 2018: Negotiations for a fight between Tyson Fury and Wilder

In December 2018, there were ongoing negotiations for a fight between former unified heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.

April 2019: Joshua-Wilder fight to take place at Wembley Stadium

In April 2019, the Joshua-Wilder fight would take place at Wembley Stadium, according to Hearn.

May 18, 2019: Wilder defends WBC heavyweight title

On May 18, 2019, Deontay Wilder defended his WBC heavyweight title against Dominic Breazeale, winning by knockout with 43 seconds left in the first round.

November 23, 2019: Wilder retains WBC heavyweight title against Ortiz

On November 23, 2019, Deontay Wilder faced Luis Ortiz again, winning by seventh-round knockout to retain his WBC heavyweight title.

November 27, 2019: Wilder to face Tyson Fury in rematch

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: Awards for Knockouts of the Year

In 2019, Deontay Wilder won both the Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year award and the Ring magazine Knockout of the Year award, showcasing his powerful punches.

February 22, 2020: Wilder loses WBC heavyweight title to Fury

On February 22, 2020, Deontay Wilder lost his WBC heavyweight title to Tyson Fury via seventh-round technical knockout.

October 31, 2020: Wilder accuses Fury of cheating

On October 31, 2020, Deontay Wilder continued to accuse Tyson Fury of cheating and asked for a trilogy bout on social media. He also stated he was offered more money to fight Anthony Joshua than he was getting to fight Fury.

May 17, 2021: Arbitration judge rules in favor of Wilder

On May 17, 2021, an arbitration judge ruled that Tyson Fury must honor a contractual clause for a third fight with Deontay Wilder.

July 24, 2021: Allegiant Stadium reserved for Wilder-Fury trilogy

On July 24, 2021, the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was reserved for a potential trilogy fight between Wilder and Fury.

August 2022: Wilder to fight Helenius

In August 2022, it was announced that Deontay Wilder would fight Finland's Robert Helenius on October 15, 2022, marking his first fight in a year after losing to Fury.

October 15, 2022: Wilder KO's Helenius

On October 15, 2022, Deontay Wilder knocked out Robert Helenius in the first round at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.

October 2023: Wilder stopped Helenius in round one

In October 2023, Wilder last fought when he stopped Robert Helenius in round one.

November 2023: Riyadh Season Announces Day of Reckoning

In November 2023, Riyadh Season announced a blockbuster card for December 23, 2023, called Day of Reckoning, featuring Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin and Wilder vs. Joseph Parker. DAZN, TNT Sports Box Office and ESPN+ PPV picked up the event.

December 2023: Day of Reckoning Event

In December 2023, the Day of Reckoning event hosted by Riyadh Season took place on December 23, 2023, featuring several heavyweight contenders. The headliner was Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin, with Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker in the co-feature bout.