Tuscaloosa, Ala. - The WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder was in his hometown of Tuscaloosa Monday to speak with children at the Police Athletic League’s basketball camp. More than 100 kids, ages 8-18, participated in the camp and came out to hear Wilder’s message.

“They’re going to go back, even the ones that are half way paying attention, I got their focus because they saw I was real and I want to be a father figure to them,” Wilder said.

The Bronze Bomber’s message revolved around “creating something you want to become,” goal setting, and rising above negative comments made by others.

“I’m above what they say and I will prove them wrong,” Wilder said of his speech to the children, “I’m going to prove you wrong. It’s not an “if,” it’s a when.”

We spoke with Deontay about his plans inside the ring. Wilder claims he will have a big fight announcement soon and still has goals to unify the boxing title.

“I’m very confident that it will happen. That’s just a fact of when, there’s so many things going on. Boxing is definitely a business and we approach it accordingly. Boxing is a worldwide sport, so we have so many different people all over the world,” Wilder said.

IN OTHER NEWS: Welterweight contender, Thomas "Cornflake" LaManna feels that he is on the brink of a breakthrough win, and he is looking to fight a big name later this Summer that will help catapult himself up the rankings, and on his way to a world title shot.

This Saturday night at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City, he first must get through 54-fight veteran Carlos Winston Velasquez in the eight-round main event of a card promoted by Rising Promotions.

LaManna, 22-2 with nine knockouts of Millville, New Jersey, will be looking for his 2nd consecutive win, and a win over Velasquez would set up a coveted fight with highly thought of foe.

"I am looking forward to a great fight on Saturday.  I am not taking Velasquez lightly as he is a tough veteran who has had 54 fights," said LaManna. "After I win, I want something big.  Myself and Rising Promotions have regional title bouts in mind.  Fights with Zab Judah and Kermit Cintron have been brought up.  The ultimate goal is to get world rated, and climb up the ladder with meaningful fights that I would like to take place in Atlantic City." 

"Because I have two losses, I get calls all the time to be an opponent.  I don't look at myself as being one.  I am one of the biggest, if not the biggest tickets seller in New Jersey, with a tremendous fan base, and myself and my Rising Promotions team would like to capitalize on that and move me along like a real promotional company is supposed to move a fighter.  Atlantic City is a great fight town, and I think that we can bring the type of bouts back to the boardwalk that made this town the mecca of boxing that it once was.  I think a fight with a big name opponent later this Summer would create great buzz in the Atlantic City boxing scene, and it would keep me moving towards my goal of being a world champion."