By Jake Donovan
Let the paydays begin.
What a difference one word makes. Three months ago, the phrase sought by every Olympic athlete was “Let the Games begin,” four words that every amateur boxer strives to hear the moment they’re taught to throw their very first jab.
To most American fight fans, this year’s Olympic Games were ones to forget. But one person who will never forget it is Deontay Wilder. Not just because he was the lone member of the US boxing squad to capture a medal. Not even because he won a fight, never mind two.
Wilder will never forget this experience because it was something that never graced even his wildest dreams.
“If someone said I’d go on to medal in the Olympics, I’d laugh and keep walking,” admits Wilder in looking back at what has to rank as the best summer of his life, 23 years and running. “I never in a million years thought I’d be where I’m at today.”
Where he’s at now, is a few days away from his pro debut, which comes this Saturday at Vanderbilt University’s Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tennessee. The evening’s main event, in fact only live televised bout of the evening, has two members of the Class of 2000, former Olympic teammates Jermain Taylor and Jeff Lacy meeting one another in the boxing equivalent of a loser-leaves-town match.
At best, highlights of Wilder’s bout will be offered sometime during the broadcast (Saturday, HBO 10:15PM ET). But the lack of full-time exposure doesn’t prevent the 6’7” Tuscaloosa (AL) native from appreciating the opportunities blessed upon him.
Four years ago, boxing never even crossed his mind. A two-sport standout at Tuscaloosa Central High School, Wilder had his choice between football and basketball at which to excel. Those dreams were dramatically altered when he found out that he’d be a proud Papa at just 19 years of age.
That his daughter was born with spina bifida only added to his immediate need to get a job.
“God put that direction in me. My goal was football and basketball, but God chose this path me. If I don’t have my daughter, I’d still be going toward basketball or football. Because I had her at such a young age, and the condition she was in, it made me change up.”
Wilder would give up the glory to be found on the gridiron and hardwood for a full-time job as a truck driver for Budweiser, while attending community college. It was at that point when boxing first came into his life – a mere three years ago, right around his 20th birthday.
The decision to enter a boxing gym was for no other reason than to give it a try. A natural athlete, Wilder immediately took to the sport. So well, that he qualified for the 2008 Games with just 25 amateur fights under his belt.
Despite serving as the least experienced member of the US squad, he ultimately became its de facto leader, a role he had no problem assuming.
“I was born to be a leader,” insists Wilder. “That desire has been in me since I was born. I’ve always had to take charge. Being a leader has always been in me.”
Only as time went on, there were fewer and fewer people to lead. One by one, the US squad fell victim to Olympic squad as well as its own well-publicized turmoil. By day nine, Wilder was the last man standing, assuring the ’08 squad no worse than tied for the least accomplished US boxing team in the history of the Olympics. The line between a medal and team infamy came by means of a tie-breaker, as Wilder barely escaped the quarterfinals with a countback tiebreaker win over Mohamad Arjaoui of Morocco to guarantee at least a bronze medal.
The goal was silver or better, but was never realized. Wilder dropped a 7-1 decision to Italy’s Clemente Russo in the semi-final five days later, forced to settle for the lowest podium among heavyweight medalists.
That he was the lone American to leave Beijing with hardware had its bittersweet moments, and not even what he considers his greatest accomplishment.
“It felt alright to get the medal. I was more proud of myself being there with the least amount of experience. Even if I didn’t win a single fight in the Olympics, I would’ve gladly settled for making it that far after only about 35 amateur fights.”
Wilder atoned for his lack of experience with his natural athletic ability and gift as a quick learner. But what couldn’t be repaired was the heavy heart he bore while standing among athletes during the medal ceremony representing far too many other countries than his own.
“I would’ve felt better if I had all of my teammates up there with me. My spirit would’ve been lifted. I don’t like to be the only one in the spotlight. I was 50% happy, 50% down. I was seeing all of these other countries up there, and wishing my boys were alongside of me.”
He won’t have his former teammates along for the ride as he ventures into the pro ranks, as they’ve already begun to move on in different directions – Demetrius Andrade turned pro three weeks ago under new promoter Banner Promotions, while Shawn Estrada enters the pro ranks in two weeks on the non-televised portion of Goossen Tutor’s HBO telecast.
In terms of a replacement supporting cast, it’s impossible to envision Wilder doing any better.
Longtime manager Jay Deas is still along for the ride, now sharing managerial duties with the legendary Shelly Finkel, who’s guided more than a few Olympians and notable amateurs to world championships. Signing the paychecks these days is the game’s hottest promoter, Golden Boy Promotions.
Perhaps most crucial to his development as a pro is the man who will be whispering advice in between rounds. Enter new head trainer Mark Breland, whom many consider to be the greatest US amateur boxer of all time.
Wilder insists that the two clicked immediately – once they began to understand one another.
“I had to get used to his soft voice, talking so low,” jokes Deontay, whose voice carries as loud as has his 6’7” frame tends to stand out in a crowd.
“We’ve been working so hard on the jab. We’ve been working hard on that stuff. Every round goes three minutes, but we always go through the bell. We don’t concentrate on the end point; we want to be to where everything comes naturally.”
What hasn’t come naturally is the extra weight he one day hopes to carry once he makes his run at a heavyweight title. Wilder was a razor thin 201 lb. for the Olympics, but knew from jump that the land of big boys was where he’d land the moment he decided to punch for pay.
In came strength and conditioning coach, helping to put on weight the correct way. As will be the case with his skill set, bulking up will be a steady progression as time goes on.
“When I first started, I didn’t have a strength trainer. I’m at about 213 right now, but I want to get to 240. My weight varies. When I work out, I sweat so much I lose weight. But I’m heavy handed. They’ll be heavier, but they’ll have to match my power.”
Given the state of the division today, most might find themselves having a hard time matching his confidence. Not arrogance, mind you – just the satisfaction that he’s already so much further along than he was when he began fighting three years ago. The greater satisfaction that the best is still yet to come, which he expects to arrive just in time to help liven things up in what was once boxing’s most storied weight class.
“The heavyweight division is a big open hole, and that hole means opportunity. Things are slow up there. Everything happens at the right moment. There aren’t too many greats out there. Hopefully I can bring something to the game and light up things at heavyweight.”
Of course, such a statement only paints a giant bulls-eye on his back that much sooner, as if being an Olympic Bronze medalist isn’t enough of an attention grabber.
“I feel like whoever I fight, they’re going to give it their all, just because I was the only guy to medal in the Olympics. They’re all gonna bring it, which only motivates me more. But soon they’ll all learn what I’m about to guarantee to you right now – that they looking at the next heavyweight champion of the world.”
Let the journey begin.
Jake Donovan is a voting member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Comments/questions can be submitted to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com .
