By Jake Donovan
The legendary Whitey Bimstein—one of the greatest trainers in boxing history—once famously quipped, “Show me a fighter who’s undefeated and I’ll show you a fighter who hasn’t fought anybody.”
Such sentiment continues to surface whenever the subject is regarding Deontay Wilder. Fans seem to be split down the middle when it comes to his career progress: many view him as part of a movement to bring relevance back to the American heavyweight boxing scene; others see his 32 knockouts in as many wins as having feasted on a collection of stiffs while still largely untested.
It stands to reason, then, that fans will either be very right or very wrong at the end of his upcoming title challenge versus Bermane Stiverne. The two collide on January 17 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, with Showtime to televise its first heavyweight title fight in more than six years.
That same time frame covers the last time an American captured an Olympic medal—with that honor belonging to none other than Wilder, who won the Bronze in the heavyweight division during the 2008 Beijing Games. The feat was notable not just because he was the only member of the ’08 squad to medal (extended by the infamy of the 2012 U.S. team in London who came home empty-handed), but because he was also the least experienced member among the group of blue-chip prospects.
Wilder only began boxing at the age of 19, following the birth of his daughter, Naieya. Aspirations of playing football or basketball at the University of Alabama—headquartered in his hometown of Tuscaloosa—went out the window as he was forced to find full time employment. Naieya was born with spina bifida, a spinal condition which—according to doctors at the time—was to permanently compromise her ability to walk.
Several operations later, Naieya, 9, proudly soldiers on, defying the odds as she remains her fighting father’s biggest fan.
Her courage serves as Wilder’s inspiration, also cushioning the blow any time he’s forced to read up on naysayers questioning his credentials.
“A lot of people say they’re my #1 fan but I know for sure she’s my #1 fan,” Wilder (32-0, 32KOs) says of his daughter. “I remember all the operations, all those times in the hospital. She’s screaming through her lungs reaching for her father, it made me want to hit the doctors.
“If she can go through all that, I can go through the trials and tribulations (it takes) to become heavyweight world champion.”
Despite his perfect record in the pro ranks and the touching backstory that sounds his career, Wilder remains on the list of
“Anything that I can’t control, I don’t let it stress me out,” Wilder (32-0, 32KOs) insists of the criticism often met with his perfect record since turning pro in Nov. ‘08. “When it’s time to fight, I go and do the impossible. Then they say, ‘Oh, he was a bum.’”
Similar claims came of his most significant win to date – a 1st round knockout of the normally serviceable Malik Scott this past March in Puerto Rico. The fight was viewed as a major step up for Wilder, who hadn’t – and still hasn’t – been extended beyond four rounds in any given pro contest.
Scott apparently wasn’t up to the task, however. The Philadelphian crumbled the first time he got hit clean, going down after getting caught with a right hand and left hook, prompting a stoppage at just 96 seconds into the contest.
What was supposed to be the crowning achievement of his still growing career, instead became the latest target for hate and accusations hurled towards Wilder.
“Throughout my career, people saying this, this and this about me,” Wilder commented. “They were turning on me. When I went and did what I did, (Scott’s fans) changed. Even some of his fellow guys who hung out with him and were raised with him, they went against him.”
From there, Wilder was forced to play the waiting game, as Stiverne was still two months away from a shot at the vacant title. The rematch with Chris Arreola – whom he soundly outpointed last April – came in May, and Stiverne delivered, knocking out the Mexican-American in six rounds.
Shortly after the win began negotiations between Stiverne and Wilder, only for no resolution to come or even appear within sight for much of the year. Wilder wisely took a tune-up bout over the summer, stopping Jason Gavern after four rounds in August.
Without it, Wilder was looking at a 2014 campaign where his only ring appearance would have been the one-round spectacle versus Scott. Ever the optimist, Wilder isn’t so much about what he’s done, but more so what the future has in store.
“On January the 17th, I hope to get to answer a lot of questions,” Wilder reveals. “I’m so passionate about this fight, I wish it were tomorrow.”
The 29-year old needs to wait just four more weeks for the biggest fight of his six-year career. If all goes his way, he will have realized his goal and also kept his word with his daughter.
“It’s my time to make history. America has been waiting a long time for its heavyweight champion,” Wilder points out. “It’s going to make me a proud father when I go home and bring that back to (my daughter). I have to fulfill that promise. This is something I promised her a long time ago, and I have to keep my word.”
Even more rewarding than the win he expects to come on January 17, is that his first title will have come facing the best available opponent. All he asks is for the hate and excuses to end, if and when he emerges victorious in his first title fight.
“I just want my credit,” Wilder demands. “It’s a 50/50 fight (with Stiverne). People like this fight, they are excited about this fight. I’m happy for that. I’m happy for the heavyweight division. I want people to stay to their word. If you are with (Stiverne), stay with him. If you are with me, stay with me.”
One way or another, critics can no longer say that Wilder hasn’t fought anyone on his way to the top.
“I don’t expect this title to be given to me. I want to earn it. I’ve been given excuses for all 32 of my victories. All these whispers. I don’t want to hear any excuses after I win this fight.”
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox