History of Deontay Wilder in Timeline
Deontay Leshun Wilder is an American professional boxer, best known for holding the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020. His victory marked the first time an American held a world heavyweight title since 2007, ending the longest drought in boxing history without an American champion. He is notable in the boxing world for his accomplishments.
October 22, 1985: Deontay Wilder's Birth
On October 22, 1985, Deontay Leshun Wilder was born. He later became a professional boxer.
2003: Most lucrative fight since John Ruiz vs. Roy Jones Jr.
In 2003, the Wilder fight grossed around $30 million, making it the most lucrative heavyweight fight since John Ruiz vs. Roy Jones Jr.
2004: Graduation and Shift to Boxing
In 2004, Deontay Wilder graduated from Tuscaloosa Central High School, initially aspiring to play football or basketball but due to the birth of his daughter and poor grades, he instead attended Shelton State Community College and focused on a boxing career. During this period, he struggled with depression and contemplated suicide.
2005: Birth of first child
In 2005, Wilder's first child, a daughter with ex-girlfriend Helen Duncan, was born with spina bifida, marking a significant event in his personal life.
2006: Turned professional
In 2006, Wilder weighed in at his lowest since turning professional, at 214 pounds, marking the beginning of his professional boxing career.
2007: Won National Golden Gloves and US Championships
In 2007, Deontay Wilder won both the National Golden Gloves and the US championships at 201 lb (91 kg).
February 29, 2008: Knocked Out by Evgenyi Romanov
On February 29, 2008, Deontay Wilder was knocked out by Evgenyi Romanov in a Russia-USA dual match in Novosibirsk.
November 15, 2008: Professional Debut
On November 15, 2008, Deontay Wilder made his professional debut against Ethan Cox, winning by second-round technical knockout (TKO).
2008: Olympic Trials Winner
Early in 2008, Deontay Wilder won the Olympic trials after only 21 bouts. He qualified for the Olympics by beating Deivis Julio and Rafael Lima at the qualifier.
2008: Heavyweight Competition at the Olympics
In 2008, Deontay Wilder competed at heavyweight in the Olympics, defeating Abdelaziz Touilbini and Mohamed Arjaoui, but lost to Clemente Russo in the semi-final.
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".
2008: Lowest weight since debut
In 2008, Wilder weighed in at 212+1/2 pounds, his lowest since his debut when he weighed 207+1/4 pounds.
2009: Winning Streak
In 2009, Deontay Wilder had seven fights, winning all of them in the first round. He continued to build his early career momentum.
2009: Marriage to Jessica Scales-Wilder
In 2009, Wilder married Jessica Scales-Wilder, with whom he had two daughters and one son, marking a significant event in his personal life.
October 2012: 25-Fight Win Streak
By October 2012, Deontay Wilder had racked up a 25-fight win streak, winning all by knockout and all within four rounds.
December 15, 2012: Won WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Title
On December 15, 2012, Deontay Wilder won his first title in professional boxing, knocking out Kelvin Price to claim the vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title.
April 3, 2013: Fight Announcement Against Audley Harrison
On April 3, 2013, Golden Boy Promotions announced that Deontay Wilder would fight Audley Harrison at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on April 27.
May 4, 2013: Arrest for Domestic Battery
On May 4, 2013, Deontay Wilder was arrested in Las Vegas on charges of domestic battery by strangulation following a reported battery incident at a hotel. A woman was taken to the hospital with injuries. Wilder's attorney claimed Wilder acted under the false impression someone was stealing from him.
June 15, 2013: Wembley Arena Fight
On June 15, 2013, a card was announced at the Wembley Arena in London, featuring Wilder and Derek Chisora as the main event, but the fight fell through.
August 9, 2013: Knocked Out Siarhei Liakhovich
On August 9, 2013, Deontay Wilder knocked out Siarhei Liakhovich in the first round at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.
February 2014: Fight Announcement Against 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: Defeated Jason Gavern
In August 2014, Deontay Wilder defeated Jason Gavern by TKO after Gavern's corner threw in the towel after round four.
January 17, 2015: Won WBC Heavyweight Title
On January 17, 2015, Deontay Wilder defeated Bermane Stiverne by unanimous decision to win the WBC heavyweight title, becoming the first American heavyweight world champion since Shannon Briggs.
May 8, 2015: First Title Defense Announcement
On May 8, 2015, Deontay Wilder announced that he would make his first title defense in Alabama against Eric Molina.
August 2015: Second Title Defense Announced
In August 2015, it was announced that Deontay Wilder would make his second title defense against Johann Duhaupas on September 26 in Alabama.
2015: Showtime registers over 1 million viewers
In 2015, Showtime registered over 1 million viewers when Wilder defeated Stiverne for the WBC title, showcasing Wilder's growing popularity.
January 16, 2016: Wilder vs. Szpilka
On January 16, 2016, Deontay Wilder defended his WBC title against Artur Szpilka, winning by knockout in the ninth round. The fight took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Wilder earned a career-high $1.5 million for the fight.
July 16, 2016: Wilder vs. Arreola
On July 16, 2016, Deontay Wilder fought Chris Arreola at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, winning by TKO after eight rounds. Wilder broke his right hand and tore his biceps during the fight.
December 21, 2016: Talks for Wilder vs. Wawrzyk
On December 21, 2016, there were advance talks for a fight to take place on February 25, 2017, at the Legacy Arena in Alabama against Andrzej Wawrzyk.
2016: Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year Award
In 2016, Deontay Wilder won the Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year award. Wilder is known for his exceptional punching power.
January 25, 2017: Wawrzyk fails drug test
On January 25, 2017, Andrzej Wawrzyk failed a drug test, ruling him out of the fight against Wilder.
January 30, 2017: Wilder vs. Washington confirmed
On January 30, 2017, it was announced that Gerald Washington would face Wilder on February 25, 2017, as a replacement for Wawrzyk.
February 14, 2017: Wilder wins lawsuit
On February 14, 2017, Wilder won $7 million plus legal fees after taxes, in court, over the cancellation of the fight against Povetkin.
February 25, 2017: Wilder vs. Wawrzyk scheduled
On February 25, 2017, a fight was scheduled at the Legacy Arena in Alabama against Andrzej Wawrzyk.
February 27, 2017: WBC orders Wilder vs. Stiverne
On February 27, 2017, the WBC ordered Wilder to fight mandatory challenger Bermane Stiverne, with negotiations to begin immediately.
2017: Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year Award
In 2017, Deontay Wilder won the Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year award. Wilder is known for his exceptional punching power.
2017: Wilder vs. Washington
In 2017, Wilder won by TKO in round five against Washington.
November 2018: Fury vs. Wilder fight set for either Las Vegas or New York
In November 2018, the Fury vs. Wilder fight was confirmed to take place in either Las Vegas or New York, with the fight to be aired on PPV in the United States on Showtime and in the UK on BT Sports Box Office, marking a significant event in both fighters' careers.
December 1, 2018: Wilder vs Fury fight
On December 1, 2018, Wilder was scheduled to fight Fury. Wilder earned a guaranteed base purse of $4 million, while Fury took home $3 million.
April 2019: Potential Joshua vs. Wilder fight at Wembley Stadium
In April 2019, Eddie Hearn stated that the Joshua-Wilder fight would still take place at Wembley Stadium, although this never materialized, continuing the on-going saga to stage the anticipated unification fight.
May 18, 2019: Wilder defeats Breazeale
On May 18, 2019, Wilder defended his WBC heavyweight title against Dominic Breazeale, winning by knockout in the first round.
November 23, 2019: Wilder defeats Ortiz in rematch
On November 23, 2019, Wilder faced Luis Ortiz again and won by seventh-round knockout to retain his WBC heavyweight title, marking another significant victory in his career.
November 27, 2019: Wilder vs. Fury Rematch Announced
On November 27, 2019, it was announced that Wilder would face Tyson Fury on February 22, 2020, in a rematch of their 2018 bout, setting the stage for another highly anticipated fight.
2019: Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year and Ring magazine Knockout of the Year
In 2019, Deontay Wilder won the Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year award and Ring magazine Knockout of the Year award. Wilder is known for his exceptional punching power.
February 22, 2020: Wilder loses to Fury
On February 22, 2020, Wilder lost to Tyson Fury via seventh-round technical knockout, losing his WBC heavyweight title in the process.
October 31, 2020: Wilder accuses Fury of cheating
On October 31, 2020, Wilder continued to accuse Fury of cheating and asked for a trilogy bout, adding fuel to the controversy surrounding their fight.
May 17, 2021: Arbitration judge rules in favor of a third fight
On May 17, 2021, an arbitration judge ruled that Tyson Fury must honor a contractual clause for a third fight with Wilder, setting the stage for another highly anticipated showdown.
July 24, 2021: Allegiant Stadium reserved for Fury vs. Wilder III
On July 24, 2021, the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas had been reserved for Wilder's trilogy fight with Fury, indicating the progress in planning the event.
May 2022: Statue Honoring in Tuscaloosa
In May 2022, Deontay Wilder was honored with a bronze statue in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, paying homage to his fight nickname, "The Bronze Bomber".
October 15, 2022: Wilder vs. Helenius Fight
On October 15, 2022, Wilder KO'd Helenius with a short right hand at 2:57 of the first round.
2022: Brother's Last Fight
In 2022, Deontay Wilder's brother, Marsellos Wilder, a professional boxer, last fought in the cruiserweight division and had a record of 5-3.
October 2023: Wilder last fought in October 2023
In October 2023, Wilder last fought against Robert Helenius, who he stopped in round one, before the "Day of Reckoning" event.
November 2023: Riyadh Season announces card for December 23
In November 2023, Riyadh Season announced a blockbuster card for December 23, featuring Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin and Wilder vs. Joseph Parker.
December 2023: Day of Reckoning
In December 2023, the "Day of Reckoning" event occurred, with the headline being Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin, with Wilder in the co-feature bout against former WBO champion Joseph Parker.
January 2024: Appearance on The Traitors
In January 2024, Deontay Wilder appeared as a contestant on season 2 of The Traitors. He left the show after episode 3, after falsely accusing someone of being a "Traitor" and breaking down in tears.
June 1, 2024: Wilder Loses to Zhilei Zhang
On June 1, 2024, Wilder faced Zhilei Zhang and lost in the fifth round by knockout, marking a significant setback in his career.
