Boxing
The unrelenting Bronze Bomber and his journey to the ring
Chisora vs. Wilder: Exclusively on DAZN - Saturday
On April 4, The Bronze Bomber is set to return to the ring to face Derek Chisora, live exclusively on DAZN.
Deontay Wilder and his meteoric rise in boxing is one of the sport's most inspiring and compelling modern stories - defined by indomitable power, unconventional beginnings, and a relentless source of determination and will.
Before we knew him as The Bronze Bomber, Deontay was working himself to the bone. He was at iHOP, Red Lobster, and even driving a beer truck to scrape together whatever he could to handle the incredibly expensive medical bills from his daughter’s battle with spina bifida.
"I need him more than he needs me"
Watch: Why Wilder hopes Chisora 'pressure' will revive his career (1.14)
Most elite-level fighters find themselves training since childhood, while Wilder didn’t step into a boxing gym until his early 20s. Before that, the 6,7” goliath’s aspirations rang in basketball, but his life’s circumstances - particularly the need to support his daughter - propelled him to step inside the ring.
What followed was an incredibly meteoric ascent. Wilder showcased an almost mythic knockout power, rising through the amateur ranks and bringing home the bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics.
The signal was lit, Deontay was no ordinary prospect, entering the professional ring that same year. Bout, after bout, he built a reputation as a devastating puncher.
He went 32-0 on his path to the title, with all 32 wins captured by way of knockout or early stoppage. Remarkably, 18 out of those 32 fights were captured in the first round.
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Despite his unorthodox entry into the sport, Wilder became a true champion - he defended the WBC Heavyweight Title a total of 10 times between 2015 and 2020.
His historic trilogy with Tyson Fury became the definition of an entire era of heavyweight boxing. Dramatic, brutal, and unforgettable - to the point where all three bouts are still commonplace discussion to this day, five years after.
(Mikey Williams/Top Rank)
The series ended with Wilder taking one draw and two stoppages. His pure tenacity, resilience, and heart earned him respect from the masses, even in his defeat.
Wilder is now 40 years old, and he hasn’t stopped fighting - his last bout found him taking the victory over Tyron Anthony Herndon almost a year ago now. If it’s one thing that Wilder has shown us, it’s that age does not define you if you don’t allow it to.
He may not be the unbeaten freak of nature that the world knew, he’ll walk to the ring as a battle-tested veteran with something to prove. Questions surround whether or not Dr Sleep can reclaim his dominance, but if Wilder’s journey has proved anything, it’s that he thrives when underestimated.
This isn’t a comeback, Wilder never left. This is about legacy, redemption, and the enduring story one of boxing’s most dangerous fighters.
Watch Chisora vs. Wilder only on DAZN
Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder square off this Saturday, April 4, exclusively on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or get this, Wardley vs. Dubois (May 9), and Usyk vs Verhoeven (May 23) PPVs all included with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription for £22.99 / $44.99 per month.
