Earlier this month, when Deontay Wilder (33-0) defeated Bermane Stiverne unanimously for the WBC Heavyweight strap, Wilder single handily brought heavyweight division boxing back to the big stage. And the manner in which Wilder defeated Stiverne by employing a strong will mixed in with brains, then brawn, showed me and others that the newly crowned American heavyweight champion of the world has the tools to stay as the heavyweight champion for many years to come. Thanks to my colleague Ron Valderrama from Ronatringside.com for the set up, earlier this evening, we caught up with the champ to talk about his big win and to talk about his future plans inside the ring. In looking at the heavyweight landscape, if we analyze the big picture, emphasis on BIG. In my opinion, I feel that that next big step to take would be to defend your strap against the massive 6?9?? Tyson Fury, then go on to face Wladimir Klitschko to unify the titles. Is that something that can possibly be next for you? DW- You know, that?s exactly what I am looking to do. I want to unify the titles. Names are being thrown around but at the end of the day, that?s the plan. I am not only bent on being just the heavyweight champion, I am looking to do much more in the sport, to make my mark. Explain how it felt to hear your name as the victor, can you put it into words for us? DW- Just very happy, so much joy. To have the most prestigious belt at that. Felt real good. I honestly felt that Stiverne was going to beat you, I saw the weigh in and it made me feel like I was watching a athlete weigh in against a heavyweight. So your heart, hunger, and will surprised me, how did you feel going 12 full rounds? DW- That?s just the thing, I am an athlete so I wasn?t worried at all about my conditioning. My determination and will as you just mentioned, was not going to allow me to fail. My mind was just on another level. What was the first thing your daughter told you when she saw you after the fight? DW- That she was proud of me, which felt great because as parents we are the ones that tell our kids we are proud of them. What do you like to do for fun? DW- I collect guns so I do that, go out and shoot my guns. I like tattoo?s as well, of course hanging out with my daughter. What is your favorite type of music to listen to? DW- I love some old school funk music, like earth wind and fire, Kool & the gang, Eisley brothers, stuff like that. And some gospel music when I want to relax. Your favorite tattoo and why? DW- The one of my daughter and I, I call it the road to success. So Shannon Briggs recently called you out, I guess it?s the price you pay when you are the champ, everyone wants a piece of the champion right? DW- I heard about him saying some stuff, but he is just trying to make noise, just wants money. But like I said, I?m looking to unify, I?m hungry so I can?t be satisfied with just being champion as my goal, I want to do big things in the sport.
