WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder held a media luncheon yesterday at the Palm Restaurant in NYC. Wilder is currently preparing for his upcoming fight later this month with Gerald Washington. Fight fans will know that Washington was a late replacement because Alexander Povetkin tested positive for Meldonium and that title fight with Wilder was cancelled.
Black Sports Online was on hand at the media luncheon and spoke to Wilder about the bad luck with two of his recent challengers testing positive for PEDs, the future of the heavyweight division and the influence of Rastafari.
See video of Wilder discussing his punching power and the dangers of PED use and why he doesn’t understand how boxers could take PEDs.
Following the Washington fight, and assuming a victory, Wilder is looking to unify the heavyweight division. Executive Vice President & General Manager of Showtime Sports Stephen Espinoza said a fight with the winner of Klitschko vs Joshua is “definitely on the table.”
Wilder is a confident champion and believes he has what it takes to unify the division, stating he wants all title bouts to come through him. He has taken note of IBF heavyweight champ Joshua and likes him. But he isn’t sure AJ is ready for the big fight against Klitschko this spring and thinks maybe the Brit was rushed along to fast, similar to David Price.
Like all boxers, Wilder sees himself as a warrior and takes that mentality with him as he enters the ring. During the luncheon he discussed the influence of Rastafari on his mindset as he prepares to enter the ring.
