Deontay Wilder, the current champion of the World Boxing Council, made a grand entrance in a modest SUV against the backdrop of a picturesque autumn sky. Despite being fashionably late to the boxing event by about an hour and a half, the gym at Skyy Boxing in Tuscaloosa was abuzz with excitement. The gym itself is sprawling, almost half the size of a football field.
Around the gym, stray cats roam, searching for food and water in the woods nearby. Turning to the boxer, Wilder stands at 6 feet 7 inches, weighs about 220 pounds, and is 33 years old – an imposing figure indeed.
The arrival of Deontay Wilder silenced the eagerly waiting reporters, many of whom had traveled from England. Wilder’s training camp consists of three sparring partners, all regulars at the facility.
Showtime’s film crew worked feverishly to document the evening, building up to Wilder’s upcoming pay-per-view match in Los Angeles against Tyson Fury. In the ring corner stood Wilder’s assistant trainer, Mark Breland, a welterweight gold medalist from the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and a two-time world champion as a professional boxer.
Despite the hype, Wilder and his devastating right hand are poised to become one of the most prominent heavyweight champions America has seen in years. Holding such a title in today’s era is no small feat, and Wilder’s powerful punches speak volumes about his prowess in the ring.
