Another day, another back and forth battle in public between the former pupil and coach duo of Deontay Wilder and Mark Breland.
Over the weekend, Breland shot down accusations that he was disloyal to Wilder during the fighter’s one-sided drubbing to Tyson Fury last February, going as far as even saying that Wilder lacked discipline during training and that the fighter’s career was all but over.
Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) fired Breland in October and alleged that his former co-trainer spiked his water before he threw in the towel to end the fight. It was one of the many eye-opening claims Wilder made following his first career loss, including that Fury’s gloves were compromised and that his ring walk attire zapped the life out of his legs.
The former heavyweight champion of the world was somehow taken aback by Breland’s rebuttal this past weekend, openly wondering “Where is it all coming from? Is it because where I was in life and your career was short? It could be a jealousy thing.”
The former world champion and 1984 Olympics gold medalist felt that it was necessary to continue countering the claims when he responded on social media Monday with another statement.
“My time in the coach position with the Bronze Bomber changed drastically in the 12 years since I started with him,” Breland said. “So [co-trainer] Jay Deas was seen as the head trainer, but I was the only one on the team, but I was the only one on the team with a boxing resume and I was the only trainer. This was okay with me because of my humility.
“After Deontay became a name in boxing, new members joined the team and it got to the point where I didn’t even have my fighter’s phone number. I haven't spoken to Deontay alone in years. The things that I told Deontay to do had to be run past Jay.
"Deontay had become untrainable because he was at the point of, he knows more about boxing than all of us. So teaching a correct jab was not a priority to learn once he continued on his knockout streak … so a coach can only teach someone if they're willing to learn."
"Lastly, at that fight just as many others we had no cutman because Deontay won't need it. So I'm not a doctor but I know blood coming out of your ears and dazed eyes could be a brain issue and power comes from your legs and his legs were gone.
"So I made a decision to stop the fight and I'd do it all again! I have a son Deontay's age. I'm not looking to see him go out on his shield."
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com
