I have to give Deontay Wilder a lot of credit heading into his first heavyweight title shot.
The Louisiana native has shown many sides of himself, from his deep belief in his god-given abilities, his undying love for his family, and a definite mean streak and understanding of what lies in front of him.
Wilder faces Haitian-born Bermane Stiverne, the WBC heavyweight champion, on Saturday night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in a Showtime Championship Boxing telecast.
It?s a fascinating fight between two big punchers and drastically different characters in Wilder and Stiverne.
While Stiverne has played the role of the silent assassin, Wilder has been boisterous throughout the lead up to the fight this week in Vegas. Check below for some sound bites from Wilder from Thursday?s press conference inside of the David Copperfield Theater
In for a treat? ?You are all in for a treat. I?ve never been so ready to whoop a man. There?s been a lot of talk, a lot of stuff on social media. But through all that, it?s been real. I don?t play games. It doesn?t get any realer than this. We risk our lives every time in that ring.
Head held high? ?If you only knew the whooping I?m going to put on this boy, you all want the first American champ, but this is for me. I am not scared to walk with my head held high because I am ready for any test.
The long journey? ?This is the most exciting heavyweight bout in years. This is the awakening of the heavyweight division and there?s nowhere else to have it than at MGM Grand. This is the number one spot to have boxing and I?ve just been waiting for this for so long. The training, the heartache, the pain and the suffering has been a long journey.
Who I am? ?Many people wrote me off early in my career. People say I?m not supposed to be here. People still write me off and I thank them for that. Because when they write me off I still go to another level and push forward. People don?t know what it took me to get here. Nothing has been given to me and I appreciate every little thing I have. This made me who I am in life.
My time? ?I knew it was going to take hard work to get that belt and I?m ready for that test. This is my time; I don?t think my opponent understands purpose because this is my time.
Passing the test? ?When I do the unexpected, I don?t want you all to degrade this man, Stiverne. I don?t want anyone to make excuses for my victory. Stick by your word. Let this be a test for me and watch me pass my test. I guarantee I will do it.
Making it worse? ?I know everyone has been speaking for you, Bermane, but they can?t fight for you. They can only make it worse for you. They have made it worse for you. You don?t understand what type of man you?re about to get in the ring with. You?ve only been champion for a short period of time but you walk around like it?s been a long time. You?re only a tourist to that belt.??
