WBC Champion and one of the most feared boxers, Deontay Wilder believes he is the No. 1 heavyweight in the world. The 6-foot-7 champion from Alabama, who was once a high school football and basketball star, had to change his priorities during his freshman year after becoming a teenage father of a special needs child.
Forced to drop out of college and work hard to support his daughter, Wilder’s focus in life became clear and he was motivated to thrive against the odds. Get inspired to success with facts about the incredible achiever who started boxing at the age of 20, turned pro in 2008 and is now the second best current heavyweight champion in the world.
Deontay Wilder Bio
The African-American heavyweight was born DeontayLeshun Wilder on October 22, 1985. He attended Central High School in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he was a football and basketball star. He later went to Shelton State Community College.
But at 19, Wilder was forced to quit school following the arrival of his daughter, Naieya, who was born with a debilitating birth defect, spina bifida. Wilder was left with no choice but to provide for his family. He transitioned from a college student to a clerk when he started doing a few menial jobs, including one as a beer truck driver and waiting tables. Though his college dream was over, Wilder chose to work hard and make a living. In addition, he did not give up his sporting career, but soon took up boxing to expand his various sources of income. More than anything else, Naieya’s existence was Wilder’s motivation and the reason he rose to become World Heavyweight Champion on the Boxing Council against all odds.
Boxing Record
The towering heavyweight debuted his boxing career at the age of 23, in November 2008 in a victorious match against Ethan Cox. Deontay continued his winning streak and after about 21 fights in less than 3 years he became an Olympian.
So far, Wilder Deontay, who has an average knockout every 22 minutes and 25 seconds, has had 40 phenomenal wins, 39 of which were won by KO and one (his 2015 WBC win) by unanimous decision. He is a two-time (2016 and 2017) Premier Boxing Champion and currently holds the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title.
In January 2015, and at 29, the Alabama champion became the first American in nine years to win a title when he defeated WBC champion Bermane Stiverne in Las Vegas. Since then, Wilder has defended the World Heavyweight title. An incredible achiever, Deontay is also the 17th reigning world heavyweight champion of all time. With a burning desire to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Wilder’s star continues to rise.
His assets (income and earnings)
After his numerous winning streaks on the Ring, the Bronze Bomber has a bank balance worthy of his status as a world champion. So far, Deontay has been doing well as he’s reportedly grossing around $2M to $5.5M in annual sales.
The biggest fight purse of his career came against Cuban boxer Luis Ortiz, in which he added a hefty $2.1m (£1.5m) to his bankroll. Additionally, a combo of Wilder’s two fights against Luis Ortiz and Bermane Stiverne netted him $2.5 million. Deontay Wilder’s net worth is currently believed to be US$16 million (£12.2 million), a figure that will increase significantly with future fights against larger opponents.
Who is the wife or girlfriend?
In 2009, the Tuscaloosa, Alabama native married the love of his life Jessica Scales and together they have three children – Ava, Dereon and DJ (Deontay Wilder Jr). Wilder reportedly had his first daughter, Naieya, with ex-girlfriend Helen when she was a teenager. While Deontay’s children were his primary motivation and reason for living, it was his first child, Naeiya, who shaped the vision for his world.
Wilder and Scales have since split, however, he is currently dating Telli Swift Shuntel, an American nurse, model and TV personality. As a registered nurse, Swift was a staff member in the convalescent department of the Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeons.
The couple, who have been together for more than three years, have one child together, although details about the child have not been released to the public. Their relationship was once featured on WAGS Atlanta. In addition to being a supportive partner, Swift also supports the Spina Bifida Association which is raising awareness of Deontay’s daughter’s condition.