Deontay Wilder has admitted that he had impaired vision during one of his world title fights.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ has been one of boxing’s most entertaining characters inside and outside the ring for more than a decade. He was the WBC ruler for many years and knocked out every man he faced up until his split decision draw with Tyson Fury in 2018, then lost the two rematches by KO and has struggled since.
He has alas been beaten by Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, and after more than a year out, he returns against Derek Chisora in London on April 4.
Speaking on DAZN Boxing, Wilder revealed he had an injury before his maiden world title fight with Bermaine Stiverne in 2015.
“I had a point to prove. I needed the money for my daughter. I promised my daughter I’d be a champion to be able to support her and I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way.
“I even got injured the day before the fight, I busted something in my eye, so I couldn’t see. I could only see grey and black out of this eye, so I only had one eye in that fight but I couldn’t let my opponent know or act different, He doesn’t even know to this day I beat him with one eye. I was doing this for my daughter, for so many reasons, my hunger was in starving mode.”
Wilder won the WBC title that night – though it remains the only victory on his ledger that came by decision and not knockout – and went on to defend it 10 times. He will be hoping to find some of that same fire when he takes on ‘Del Boy’ next month in what will be both men’s 50th contest.
