Whatever Deontay Wilder was trying to accomplish with his comments this week, all he’s earned himself is an investigation into his conduct.
Wilder likely felt like he was instilling fear in the entire heavyweight division when he disgracefully claimed that he hoped to kill an opponent in the ring some day.
The remarks were understandably condemned by the entire boxing community, which is still coming to terms with the tragic passing of British boxer Scott Westgarth last month.
If this is true? He’s a disgrace! A lot of fighters have a family there providing for so does this mean he wants to kill the father of a child? Senseless idiot! I didn’t have him down as this tbh.. When I met him last found him to be quite bright! Sad if it’s true. https://t.co/UISMyzEFhH
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) March 31, 2018
When asked whether he was concerned about the possibility of an opponent never waking up, the WBC heavyweight champion issued a disturbing response.
“I want a body on my record. I want one. I really do,” Wilder told The Breakfast Club. “That’s the ‘Bronze Bomber’. He wants one.
“I always tell people that when I’m in the ring then I’m the ‘Bronze Bomber’ and with him, it’s so crazy, I don’t really care.
“Everything about me changes. I don’t get nervous. I don’t get scared. I don’t get butterflies. I don’t have any feeling towards the other man in the fight.”
A desire to claim a life, whatever someone’s profession, is absolutely bizarre and Wilder’s remarks have not gone down well with the World Boxing Council.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has been made aware of Wilder’s comments and has insisted that they will be investigated.
This is a serious report which cannot go unattended and if true goes against the @WBCBoxing code of ethics https://t.co/o9DQ0QcAny
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) March 31, 2018
It’s not acceptable and the WBC disciplinary committee will look into this delicate matter https://t.co/Zr6DJh46jx
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) March 31, 2018
I have known @BronzeBomber for a long time, I respect him and do not believe he could say that he wants to kill someone in the ring
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) March 31, 2018
Sulaiman might not want to believe Wilder said it but he did.
Fight fans have been calling for ‘The Bronze Bomber’ to be punished, with some even claiming that he ought to have his licence revoked.
That remains unlikely but it beggars belief that Wilder would potentially jeopardise a lucrative unification clash with the winner of Anthony Joshua vs. Joseph Parker by trying to impress an early morning radio team with his lack of compassion.
