DEONTAY WILDER: "I GO IN THERE WITH BAD INTENTIONS...TO DISFIGURE HIS FACE"
By Percy Crawford | December 02, 2015
PC: How is it going big man?
DW: Man, nothing much, man; just getting back to the house from a little vacation with family out in Hawaii. Just getting back in and I'm sparring tonight, so I'm traveling and still have to go to work at night, but that's part of it.
PC: Did you get a chance to watch the Klitschko/Fury fight while you were out there or just heard about it?
DW: I got a chance to see it, of course, man. I wasn't happy about it. It was the most borng fight in world history. I labeled that fight "Dancing with the Stars," you know. That's all they were doing was dancing.
PC: You are one of the rare heavyweights that damn near fights like you're willing to get knocked out to knock your opponent out. Obviously the work rate in Klitschko/Fury was low, but I wanted to run some of your recent numbers by you. In your last fight against Duhaupas, you landed 56% of your 587 punches thrown while he only landed 30% of his shots on you. Stiverne also landed at a low rate, so although you risk a lot, the rate your opponents are landing on you is low, like a Floyd Mayweather opponent's land percentage on him. How important is it for you to be exciting?
DW: Most definitely. It's not only just winning, but you have to put on a great performance. When people look at the heavyweight division, they want to see knockouts and action. They want to see big guys go toe to toe. One thing about a Deontay Wilder fight, that's what you're going to get. You're going to get action [fans heard approaching in the background]. When I go into the ring, I go in there with bad intentions. I don't just go in there to knock my opponents out, but to disfigure his face to the point where not even his momma recognize what he look like, and she birthed him. I go in there to really hurt them. In this sport, you can't play boxing. I really don't play this; nothing that I do in that ring is for play because it's too serious in there. With that being said, I go in there with bad intentions.
PC: I just heard some supporters come up to you. I've seen your interaction with fans live and in person. You don't miss anyone. What is it like to be in the middle of an interview and have fans approach you just like when you're at a big event in Vegas or wherever it may be, and how important is it not to turn anyone away?
DW: That's the fun part of my journey and my career, to be able to interact with the people. Some people don't have the social skills to interact with the people. Some of them, maybe it's because they have been in the sport for too long and it done got boring to them and some just don't have the social skills. But me, I love people. I have never met a stranger. That's how my mother is. She's never met a stranger. You could never tell whether I know a person or not by me interacting with that person. I'm the type of person that sit back and take my time and I listen to that person, no matter who that person is. I just hope they are inspired by me. I'm the type of person that hasn't let all the fame and fortune go to my head. If I become a billionaire, I feel like I will still be the same Deontay Wilder. Maybe my lifestyle and the things around me would change, but the person that I am, Deontay Wilder would never change. I really mean that.
PC: Tyson Fury has already labeled you the basketball player. That didn't take long. What are your thoughts on your new label from the new champ?
DW: Man, I could be a basketball player, football player, tennis player or soccer player. I could be whatever player he want to be, but when it comes down to me stepping inside of that ring on the night of the fight and he steps in that ring with me, we gonna see what kind of playing going to get played. Like I said, I don't play boxing, that's for sure. So I can be all of that outside of the ring all I want, and yeah, I kind of like playing basketball and doing lil' activities outside of the ring, but inside of the ring though, we will see who being played. Tyson know, all of these other guys know, when you in front of the media, you supposed to take shots and excite the crowd and the media, but at the end of the day, when it's time and you in that ring, nobody can substitute you out or fight for you. That's when it gets scary. And I can back up everything I say. I'm in love with the sport. I'm in love with boxing. I just don't like it, I don't do it because I enjoy it, I am in love with this sport. When you are in love with your sport I don't know the last time I got nervous or had butterflies. I don't get nervous, I don't get butterflies because I am so in tune and so in love with this sport that I actually get mad having to drive to the arena. Which I know that's required to do, you gotta drive there, but I be so ready to get out there that I be a lil' upset. I guess that's why I be so aggressive coming out because it's like I had to wait, we done talked a lot of smack, and now I gotta fight, but I gotta wait some more. And don't let the fight get delayed and they keep me longer; I really get upset. But I'm in love with the sport, man, and everything that's going on, it's going like it's supposed to. Let 'em talk. All of them have to talk.
PC: For a heavyweight at this level, you are staying pretty busy; 3 fights this year and mid-January, you right back at it. Is that by design? You like that kind of activity?
DW: Definitely, definitely! I've been doing that throughout my career. There was a time I was fighting 5 to 6 times a year. I always look to be active and stay busy. That's always been the key to my success. A lot of guys won't do it. They get a win here and a win there and they sit up for a long time and then go press they luck again. But I like the fact that now that I have the title, it makes it even better because I'm putting something on the line. I like the fact that I'm putting something on the line for these guys. One thing about my opponents or future opponents, they better know that no matter who you are, you better stay ready because your card can get pulled. Your card can get pulled at any moment. It's like my mandatory. He talking about he need so much time to get ready. I'm like, dude, I broke my hand and I was ready in like 2 months. What's the deal? Let's go! You don't need 5-6 months to train for me. For what? To go out there and get tired and get hit? I don't need that much time. Give me a good month or two and I'm ready to go. I stay in shape and if these guys stayed in shape, they wouldn't need all of this time. These folks out here waiting to spend their money to see somebody get knocked out. I be ready so they can spend they money to see me beat up on somebody and swell they eyes and knock 'em out, man (laughing).
PC: I'm sure it's great fighting at home in Alabama and fighting in front of your family and friends, but in January, you're fighting in New York at Barclays. Does it feel good to get away from home for a fight and get out of that comfort zone?
DW Yeah, yeah, it's definitely a good feeling to get away from home, man. If it was up to the people to have me fight every fight at home, they would do it, you know. We have started a great thing here in Alabama, especially in Birmingham with the mayor. He is loving it. If it was up to them, they would have every one of my fights there. It's definitely good to have a breath of fresh air and go away. I always wanted to debut the Barclays Center and here is my time. We are always about timing and doing the right things at the right time and this is the right place and the right time. I'm looking forward to going to New York and taking my talent there.
PC: Was it bittersweet to see Fury defeat Wladimir when I'm sure you wanted to be the one to dethrone him?
DW: It is a bittersweet moment. The bitter part about it is I definitely wanted to be the one to dethrone him in a great fashion. I always envision myself knocking Wladimir out. Not like this title fight where I throw 18 punches and I win. I'm talking about an actual heavyweight title fight that ends by knockout to dethrone the long-reigning heavyweight champion in fashion and style. It wouldn't be nothing like what we saw this weekend. I don't know what the hell this was. I wanted to be the guy to do that, but the sweet part the thing about it, I'm one of those fighters, no matter what I do, in the public's eye, I will never get my full credit. There is always going to be an excuse of why or how I did it or this opponent was this and that. So I'm saying that to say this, the sweet moment is, I'm kind of happy Tyson beat him because if I would have beat Wladimir, they would have said he's past his prime and he's old. I would have knocked him out. If he performed like that against me, it would have been over. I throw too many punches. I would have got verbal abuse from people saying he was too old, but being that Tyson beat him, that's on him. So when I beat him, what the hell can they say? He's a younger guy, he got okay skills, what are they going to say? That's why it's bittersweet for me, but that's just me.
PC: I got you. I'm not going to keep you too long. I appreciate your time, but before I let you go, your Alabama Crimson Tide gotta stop beating up on my LSU Tigers like this. We are going to have to wager something next year my man (laughing).
DW: (Laughing) You know how it is.
PC: For sure. I wish you the best in January and we will talk soon big man.
DW: Alright bruh, have a good one, man!
How can yall not love The Bronze Bomber
Povetkin......bring that ass HERE boy! Glazkov going down, Povetkin going down, and Fury going down all in 2016
#BombZquad
By Percy Crawford | December 02, 2015
PC: How is it going big man?
DW: Man, nothing much, man; just getting back to the house from a little vacation with family out in Hawaii. Just getting back in and I'm sparring tonight, so I'm traveling and still have to go to work at night, but that's part of it.
PC: Did you get a chance to watch the Klitschko/Fury fight while you were out there or just heard about it?
DW: I got a chance to see it, of course, man. I wasn't happy about it. It was the most borng fight in world history. I labeled that fight "Dancing with the Stars," you know. That's all they were doing was dancing.
PC: You are one of the rare heavyweights that damn near fights like you're willing to get knocked out to knock your opponent out. Obviously the work rate in Klitschko/Fury was low, but I wanted to run some of your recent numbers by you. In your last fight against Duhaupas, you landed 56% of your 587 punches thrown while he only landed 30% of his shots on you. Stiverne also landed at a low rate, so although you risk a lot, the rate your opponents are landing on you is low, like a Floyd Mayweather opponent's land percentage on him. How important is it for you to be exciting?
DW: Most definitely. It's not only just winning, but you have to put on a great performance. When people look at the heavyweight division, they want to see knockouts and action. They want to see big guys go toe to toe. One thing about a Deontay Wilder fight, that's what you're going to get. You're going to get action [fans heard approaching in the background]. When I go into the ring, I go in there with bad intentions. I don't just go in there to knock my opponents out, but to disfigure his face to the point where not even his momma recognize what he look like, and she birthed him. I go in there to really hurt them. In this sport, you can't play boxing. I really don't play this; nothing that I do in that ring is for play because it's too serious in there. With that being said, I go in there with bad intentions.
PC: I just heard some supporters come up to you. I've seen your interaction with fans live and in person. You don't miss anyone. What is it like to be in the middle of an interview and have fans approach you just like when you're at a big event in Vegas or wherever it may be, and how important is it not to turn anyone away?
DW: That's the fun part of my journey and my career, to be able to interact with the people. Some people don't have the social skills to interact with the people. Some of them, maybe it's because they have been in the sport for too long and it done got boring to them and some just don't have the social skills. But me, I love people. I have never met a stranger. That's how my mother is. She's never met a stranger. You could never tell whether I know a person or not by me interacting with that person. I'm the type of person that sit back and take my time and I listen to that person, no matter who that person is. I just hope they are inspired by me. I'm the type of person that hasn't let all the fame and fortune go to my head. If I become a billionaire, I feel like I will still be the same Deontay Wilder. Maybe my lifestyle and the things around me would change, but the person that I am, Deontay Wilder would never change. I really mean that.
PC: Tyson Fury has already labeled you the basketball player. That didn't take long. What are your thoughts on your new label from the new champ?
DW: Man, I could be a basketball player, football player, tennis player or soccer player. I could be whatever player he want to be, but when it comes down to me stepping inside of that ring on the night of the fight and he steps in that ring with me, we gonna see what kind of playing going to get played. Like I said, I don't play boxing, that's for sure. So I can be all of that outside of the ring all I want, and yeah, I kind of like playing basketball and doing lil' activities outside of the ring, but inside of the ring though, we will see who being played. Tyson know, all of these other guys know, when you in front of the media, you supposed to take shots and excite the crowd and the media, but at the end of the day, when it's time and you in that ring, nobody can substitute you out or fight for you. That's when it gets scary. And I can back up everything I say. I'm in love with the sport. I'm in love with boxing. I just don't like it, I don't do it because I enjoy it, I am in love with this sport. When you are in love with your sport I don't know the last time I got nervous or had butterflies. I don't get nervous, I don't get butterflies because I am so in tune and so in love with this sport that I actually get mad having to drive to the arena. Which I know that's required to do, you gotta drive there, but I be so ready to get out there that I be a lil' upset. I guess that's why I be so aggressive coming out because it's like I had to wait, we done talked a lot of smack, and now I gotta fight, but I gotta wait some more. And don't let the fight get delayed and they keep me longer; I really get upset. But I'm in love with the sport, man, and everything that's going on, it's going like it's supposed to. Let 'em talk. All of them have to talk.
PC: For a heavyweight at this level, you are staying pretty busy; 3 fights this year and mid-January, you right back at it. Is that by design? You like that kind of activity?
DW: Definitely, definitely! I've been doing that throughout my career. There was a time I was fighting 5 to 6 times a year. I always look to be active and stay busy. That's always been the key to my success. A lot of guys won't do it. They get a win here and a win there and they sit up for a long time and then go press they luck again. But I like the fact that now that I have the title, it makes it even better because I'm putting something on the line. I like the fact that I'm putting something on the line for these guys. One thing about my opponents or future opponents, they better know that no matter who you are, you better stay ready because your card can get pulled. Your card can get pulled at any moment. It's like my mandatory. He talking about he need so much time to get ready. I'm like, dude, I broke my hand and I was ready in like 2 months. What's the deal? Let's go! You don't need 5-6 months to train for me. For what? To go out there and get tired and get hit? I don't need that much time. Give me a good month or two and I'm ready to go. I stay in shape and if these guys stayed in shape, they wouldn't need all of this time. These folks out here waiting to spend their money to see somebody get knocked out. I be ready so they can spend they money to see me beat up on somebody and swell they eyes and knock 'em out, man (laughing).
PC: I'm sure it's great fighting at home in Alabama and fighting in front of your family and friends, but in January, you're fighting in New York at Barclays. Does it feel good to get away from home for a fight and get out of that comfort zone?
DW Yeah, yeah, it's definitely a good feeling to get away from home, man. If it was up to the people to have me fight every fight at home, they would do it, you know. We have started a great thing here in Alabama, especially in Birmingham with the mayor. He is loving it. If it was up to them, they would have every one of my fights there. It's definitely good to have a breath of fresh air and go away. I always wanted to debut the Barclays Center and here is my time. We are always about timing and doing the right things at the right time and this is the right place and the right time. I'm looking forward to going to New York and taking my talent there.
PC: Was it bittersweet to see Fury defeat Wladimir when I'm sure you wanted to be the one to dethrone him?
DW: It is a bittersweet moment. The bitter part about it is I definitely wanted to be the one to dethrone him in a great fashion. I always envision myself knocking Wladimir out. Not like this title fight where I throw 18 punches and I win. I'm talking about an actual heavyweight title fight that ends by knockout to dethrone the long-reigning heavyweight champion in fashion and style. It wouldn't be nothing like what we saw this weekend. I don't know what the hell this was. I wanted to be the guy to do that, but the sweet part the thing about it, I'm one of those fighters, no matter what I do, in the public's eye, I will never get my full credit. There is always going to be an excuse of why or how I did it or this opponent was this and that. So I'm saying that to say this, the sweet moment is, I'm kind of happy Tyson beat him because if I would have beat Wladimir, they would have said he's past his prime and he's old. I would have knocked him out. If he performed like that against me, it would have been over. I throw too many punches. I would have got verbal abuse from people saying he was too old, but being that Tyson beat him, that's on him. So when I beat him, what the hell can they say? He's a younger guy, he got okay skills, what are they going to say? That's why it's bittersweet for me, but that's just me.
PC: I got you. I'm not going to keep you too long. I appreciate your time, but before I let you go, your Alabama Crimson Tide gotta stop beating up on my LSU Tigers like this. We are going to have to wager something next year my man (laughing).
DW: (Laughing) You know how it is.
PC: For sure. I wish you the best in January and we will talk soon big man.
DW: Alright bruh, have a good one, man!
How can yall not love The Bronze Bomber
Povetkin......bring that ass HERE boy! Glazkov going down, Povetkin going down, and Fury going down all in 2016
#BombZquad