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What Deontay Wilder said about deaths in boxing was really messed up

Published 18:21 30 Mar 2018 BST

Darragh Murphy
What Deontay Wilder said about deaths in boxing was really messed up

Homeboxing

Surely he can't be serious.

Deontay Wilder has always been a polarising figure with his trash talk but he may have crossed a line this week with his comments about deaths in boxing. Boxing is undeniably a dangerous sport and its competitors are well aware of the risks that exist each and every time they take to the ring but no right-minded fighter goes into a contest with the hope that his/her opponent doesn't wake up. Wilder, however, insists that he's an exception as the WBC heavyweight champion has revealed his wish to claim a life in a fight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2661&v=6zRtrLBg3vk During an interview on The Breakfast Club, Wilder was asked about sympathy in the fight game and whether he was concerned about the possibility of killing a man. His response was disturbing:
"I want a body on my record. I want one. I really do. That's the 'Bronze Bomber'. He wants one. I always tell people that when I'm in the ring then I'm the 'Bronze Bomber' and with him, it's so crazy, I don't really care. Everything about me changes. I don't get nervous. I don't get scared. I don't get butterflies. I don't have any feeling towards the other man in the fight."
Only last month, British fighter Scott Westgarth tragically passed away after a victory over Dec Spelman in Doncaster. His death restarted the conversation about the safety of boxing, with several fighters passing away due to head trauma over the years. Most boxers want to see everyone involved in the sport return to their families safe and sound after fights and Wilder's remarks have not gone down well. Even some of the undefeated heavyweight's own fans have turned on him. https://twitter.com/haviar_javier/status/979757990868930560 https://twitter.com/olderthanicing/status/979747088379645952 https://twitter.com/jcook88888/status/979753203658117120 https://twitter.com/Vandalyzm/status/979725467535233024 https://twitter.com/Ind_moneymedia/status/979703105662128128 https://twitter.com/97yd_Ace/status/979761428029673473

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What Deontay Wilder said about deaths in boxing was really messed up