“Oh my God, this could be the most exciting heavyweight fight in centuries. People don’t really understand the power of this right now. If all goes according to plan we’re going to have a mega-fight to find out who the baddest man on the planet is.
GL: Can you describe what you’re experience in the UK was like? It was absolutely amazing. The fans definitely love their boxing and they love any athlete that comes through. I was barely able to walk the street. The experience was crazy and to see so many people who support boxing, so I definitely enjoyed myself. GL: You’ve been to some major events over here, how would you describe the differences in the atmosphere between a major fight in the UK and a major fight back home? The people. They come out and support, that’s the big difference. It would have never done 90,000 in America, it would have never done that, but thanks to their loving fans, who love boxing so much, they treat boxing like it’s a Holiday, like it’s the fourth of July or Christmas, everybody comes out. It was like a family reunion, everybody came out and in America that ain’t the case. We support others instead of supporting ourselves, we’d rather be behind others than be for ourself. We rather say somebody else from another country is better than our own people and that’s what I found out. It’s crazy and it’s sad, but no matter how big and popular you are in your country you’ve still got to make it in America. Everybody keeps up with America and America is the place hands down, but other than that the place was packed, the fans were lovely and it was wonderful.”
GL: The fight lived up to the hype. What were you thoughts on the fight?
Deontay Wilder: “The fight definitely lived up to the hype, that’s for sure. With Joshua being young, you saw a lot of things from him. He proved a lot of stuff that people had questions about. Each and every time we’re going to answer some questions, but there’s always going to be flaws that people see. We all have flaws and you’ll never be perfect as a fighter. Klitschko, being at the age that he is, did a wonderful job, but I think if it was the Emanuel Steward Klitschko, the fight would have been done when he had him hurt. He had him hurt for two or three more rounds. Joshua was very fatigued, tired and he was hurt, and Klitschko could not finish him.”
GL: I agree and that was my follow up question was do you think Wlad should have finished Joshua when he dropped him?
DW: “Most definitely, but he couldn’t. Maybe he was out of energy, maybe he was out of gas, but it looked like he didn’t know how. I don’t know what it was he could not finish and Joshua was ready to go. He was wobbly, he could barely stand up, he could barely hold his hands up. He didn’t throw punches for the next few rounds after he got hurt, but Klitschko let the young boy get his wind back and he paid the price for it.”
GL: Following that fight, some people are now going to rank Anthony Joshua above you at heavyweight, does he deserve that status following his win over Wladimir?
DW: “Most definitely not. It’s just one fighter and just one fight. People forget to look at the other fights before then, but even before that fight happened people were saying that. It’s not surprising because they were saying it way before, but it’s just the one guy on his resume. People know that, but they just don’t want to see it. People know I’m the guy in this division to beat, HANDS DOWN! I don’t care what they look at, or what they say about my style, it could be wild or whatever, but the last time I checked this is a fight. This is a fight! It doesn’t matter how you look, it doesn’t matter what you do in there as long as you get that W at the end of the day that’s all that matters. People are amazed at what I’m doing, but they don’t want to give me the credibility or praise me for some reason. I don’t know why, but it’s ok. Nobody has ever praised me for the good that I’ve done and nothing has ever been given to me. Only the real ones see it, most of the time people want to see my downfall. They want to see me unsuccessful, they want to see me fail, but through it all I love to prove people wrong. I get a thrill out of proving people wrong, so it all goes hand in hand. Even if you’re in my country, I enjoy it if you don’t believe in me because it’s just going to give me a thrill when I prove you wrong. It ain’t if, it’s just a matter of time of when.”
GL: There’s an easy fix to this and I think I speak on behalf of boxing fans across the world, hopefully a fight with you and Joshua comes to fruition soon because there no question the winner of that fight would be considered the universally recognized undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
DW: “Most definitely. World-wide, mega. Even somebody that lives under a rock is going to know who the heavyweight champion of the world is. That’s why I’ve been so eager to get this done. That’s why I’ve been screaming and yelling along with Bomb Squad, I’ve been yelling for these unification fights. Let’s get it. All of the champions need to come together, all of the mandatories need to be put to the side, all of the organizations need to have one champion, one face and one name. Deontay Wilder, you won’t have to worry about no sanction fees or if a fight is going to happen or not. I’m a man and I don’t get tired doing this, I love doing this, let’s go. Give me 30 days and let’s get it. This is what I want. Boxing’s heavyweight division is back and it’s only going to climb higher and higher, but that won’t happen unless there’s one name, one face and one champion. People could do whatever they want, we can make history because at the end of the day there hasn’t been a unified undisputed champion in a very long time. It’s something that’s very hard to do. I think it’s time for us to exploit that and unify the division to give the fans a global name that everybody knows. One face, one name, one champion, Deontay Wilder.”
GL: The last time we spoke I asked you if you were targeting a Septemberish return, you said June. Have there been any updates on your next fight? When can we expect you back in the ring?
DW: “Right now I’m looking at July. I’m looking for a July date and I’m looking to fight Parker, that’s who I want. I’m looking to unify these belts so hopefully we could get that fight done for July and start the unification process. I know Parker is ready to do it and he’s trying to do the same thing I’m trying to do, unify the division. He’s representing New Zealand and in his country people are behind him, they have faith in him and they believe in him. Now it’s time to unify the division. I’m available to all champions right now, let’s make it happen. I want to July to be the start of my vision on what’s to come. I’m very excited right now about what the next year has in store for me.”
GL: I assume you’re not going travel to this one, but based on what you just said I think you’re picking Parker over Cojanu.
DW: “Definitely. He should beat him. That’s his sparring partner that he had in the camp with him for the last three weeks. It might not be that easy, but when you have a sparring partner going that amount of time with him, they’re going to know each other. They’re going to know each other’s styles and certain things that they do. They’re going to know their power level, but he should surpass him for sure, that’s why he’s the champion. Him being a champion he’s going to learn real soon that there’s no days off, there’s no slacking. Your mind has to stay on this sport because you know there’s another hungry lion out there trying to steal your position and take the king’s spot. With that being said you’ve got to be ready for these guys because when you become the champion, and especially when you have the WBC belt, everybody wants it because it’s the most prestigious belt in all of boxing. All of these guys, no matter what their record was or who they fought before they fought me, when they fought me they gave their all and the best of whatever they was. When you’re a champion everybody wants to eat and they want what you’ve got so you always have to be ready. I believe in Parker and I think he will win. It’s crazy how the heavyweight division has had such a turnaround with so many people talking about it right now. I’m loving it.”
GL: Whether it’s Parker or not do you have any idea where your next fight will take place?
DW: “I have no idea yet, we’re still working on some things. I’m waiting and seeing what’s happening. But we’re trying to do it in July so the people should know soon if it’s going to be on or not. I know that me and Parker is a fight that the fans want to see and I’d love to put that title together with mine before I see Joshua before the end of the year. I want to bring another belt to the table, that’s going to kick off a mega-fight in the heavyweight division. Oh my God, this could be the most exciting heavyweight fight in centuries. People don’t really understand the power of this right now. If all goes according to plan we’re going to have a mega-fight. He’s going to have his belts, I’m going to have my belts and may the best man win, let’s find out who the last man standing will be. Let’s find out who the undisputed, undefeated, baddest man on the planet is.”
