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Champion Deontay Wilder critical of boxing’s heavyweight division

By Jeremy Herriges

CANASTOTA, NY - JUNE 11: Heavyweight boxing champion Deontay Wilder is seen during the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction Weekend of Champions event on June 11, 2017 in Canastota, New York. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
CANASTOTA, NY - JUNE 11: Heavyweight boxing champion Deontay Wilder is seen during the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction Weekend of Champions event on June 11, 2017 in Canastota, New York. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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Deontay Wilder talks exclusively to Jeremy C. Herriges about his opinion on specific boxers in the heavyweight division and several all-time greats.

Deontay Wilder is currently in training camp ahead of his Nov. 4 heavyweight title defense against Bermane Stiverne.

Wilder was supposed to defend his title against unbeaten heavyweight Luis Ortiz, but Ortiz tested positive for banned substances. Stiverne was promoted to challenge Wilder by the WBC.

While Wilder was in the midst of his training camp, we played a word association game for fun. Wilder said the first word that came to mind at the mention of names of several top heavyweight contenders and former boxing legends.

Wilder gave his one-word assessment on each of the following current and former boxers: Luis Ortiz, Anthony Joshua, Jarrell Miller, Dominic Breazeale, Bermane Stiverne, Joseph Parker, Shannon Briggs, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.

Wilder described his formerly scheduled opponent Luis Ortiz as “a b***h.”

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He also described Anthony Joshua, who holds the IBO, IBF and WBA heavyweight titles, as “scared.”

Joshua recently told Sky Sports that he is conflicted about fighting Wilder in the near future.

“This little devil on my shoulder, the fighting man, says Wilder at Wembley, boom,” Joshua said.

Joshua added: “And then this little devil on this shoulder, the manager that says, what’s best to guide my career? So it’s playing devil’s advocate and putting them together and seeing what works out best for my career.”

Wilder interpreted Joshua’s conflicting comments as fearful.

Wilder described heavyweight contenders Jarrell Miller as “disgusting” and Dominic Breazeale as “laughable/pathetic.”

He also characterized WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker as “the softest heavyweight in the division.”

While Wilder had some harsh words for several heavyweight prospects, he was complimentary towards some of boxing’s former greats.

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