Boxing

Deontay Wilder has found peace; so is his mischievous alter ego gone forever?

Published

7 months ago

April 1, 2026

LONDON – Deontay Wilder’s smile was as wide as it was glowing when he first saw Frank Warren.

The towering heavyweight couldn’t hide his almost boyish joy as he caught a glimpse of the man who remains a rival but is now an aged friend as they waited to be called to the stage at the press conference opening Wilder’s April 4 clash with Derek Chisora [DAZN].

Wilder lifted the 74-year-old off the floor and squeezed him as his feet dangled in the air, clutching the promoter’s freshly ironed suit in his powerful arms.

The toasty hug made Warren smile too.

Wilder’s mood was clearly different earlier in the day when he stormed out of an interview with radio station talkSPORT. The American was unhappy with the line of questioning over his claims that Tyson Fury had cheated on him. The accusations are baseless and provided few details.

Within seconds, a switch inside him flipped and Wilder left the studio, cursing and furious.

In doing so, the world saw two different sides of the iconic American heavyweight: the composed, toasty and composed Deontay from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, who had seemingly exorcised the demons of his past… and the wild, unpredictable “Brown Bomber” who had the ability to spin out of control and entertained fans with knockouts and headlines for nearly two decades.

As he himself admits, he has been through a lot during this time. Professional struggles, such as recent setbacks and the lingering toll of the Fury trilogy, as well as personal conflicts.

Can he have the best of both worlds in his pursuit of one last run to the top? One moment the zen and all-loving Deontay, the next a brutal organizer of violence.

Perhaps that’s too much to ask.

Wilder himself pointed out the hypocrisy of fans who wanted him to be some sort of role model, to the point where he climbs between the ropes when they demand he be a savage. However, if he can find his balance and turn his ruthless nature – which, as we’ve seen, still simmer just below the surface – against Chisora, massive fights still await him.

UNTIL TIME spoke to ESPN – our conversation sandwiched between his now-infamous talkSPORT radio interview and a press conference later that day – he cooled down, energizing a composed man but still hungry for more.

he embroidered his jacket. The subtle touch of a 40-year-old.

“I haven’t been this excited in a long time,” Wilder says, but he still thinks about the recent mental and emotional challenges.

“I had to reconstruct myself. My mind… What was going on in my life. I was just putting myself together in a lot of different ways.”

Wilder is complicated. His controversies and indiscretions are well known, but what you expect isn’t always what you get. After all, he has a deep-seated desire to be understood and appreciated.

His ability to draw audiences effortlessly, even at this overdue stage in his career, means he is part of an exclusive club of boxers who, regardless of their recent winning record, will put up massive fights.

He is also currently the only American heavyweight in the club, which further increases his drawing power in a division dominated by Europeans.

But on Saturday, after an intriguingly warm conversation with Chisora, he will enter his 50th fight, raising questions about whether he will be able to rediscover the cruel aged Wilder.

BUSINESS boxing is difficult. Without a doubt, this is the most challenging thing for the players. When you’re on top, you’re wanted, bulletproof, and most importantly, prosperous.

Everyone wants a piece of you.

But you may feel lonely on the way down.

Wilder has spoken openly about his recent struggles. He has gone from one of the most feared heavyweights in the world, a five-year WBC champion, to desperately close to last chance, with four defeats in his last five fights, three of them by knockout.

Outside the ring, Wilder says he has suffered betrayal and heartbreak at the hands of those closest to him. Although he doesn’t often go into details, he publicly claims that both his brother and his former partner stole from him. He was at his lowest before his fight with Zhilei Zhang in June 2024, when he was knocked out in Round 5, looking like a shadow of his former, fearsome self.

We may not know the true details of what happened, but Wilder found himself in a dim place. He experimented with ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew, in Costa Rica, but it did not facilitate improve his performance in the ring. Since then, he has sought facilitate, gone to therapy and, he says, came out the other side; the happiest he’s ever been.

“I’m a giver. My heart is good and most of the time when you have a person with a pure heart, a real heart, they always get taken advantage of,” Wilder says.

“It’s always their heart that hurts the most. I’ve done a lot of things for people, a lot for their families, their children. I never expect anything in return. I just want to be appreciated.”

“A lot of people, family, friends, loved ones, feel entitled to what you have, but they don’t want to work as difficult as you do to get it.”

LONG-TERM MANAGER Shelly Finkel, who has been with Wilder since his amateur days, has seen it all in boxing. During his prime, he managed Mike Tyson and witnessed firsthand all the noise, drama and baggage that came with this traveling circus.

He once questioned Tyson why he wasn’t taking his medication. Tyson was simply fed up with it all.

“You’re not in the spotlight, you’re not under the pressure that I’m under,” Tyson told Finkel.

Upon reflection, Finkel states that there is some truth to this, insisting that the pressure a fighter has to deal with is something that non-fighters will never truly understand, especially when those around you, the people you allow into your inner circle, are doing you harm.

“Deontay has experienced a lot of things personally. He was let down by people he thought would be there for him,” Finkel tells ESPN.

Wilder doesn’t need the spotlight. He has no reason to keep fighting other than his desire to be in the ring and prove to the world that he can still throw away everything he has achieved in boxing.

As a 20-year-old, he tied gloves to earn money for his daughter, who was born with spina bifida. Desperate for cash, he decided to become a journeyman: come in, win or lose (it didn’t matter), get paid, and come back the next week.

Then, when he realized that he was really good… That he could; he promised to become a champion, ending his amateur career with a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics.

Over time, like many fighters, he became addicted to the sport, fueled by an inflated ego as the victories, knockouts, fame and fortune flowed.

However, he says that he was hurt by the people around him and now he only fights for himself.

“It’s still a pretty business if you can do it well and have the right people around you,” Wilder says. “I’m not giving up. I still have goals. I’m not giving up until I get to where I want to be.”

FINKEL SAW WILDER is at his lowest and is glad the 40-year-old has turned the corner and still has massive fights on offer. Before signing the contract to fight Chisora, a fight with Oleksandr Usyk was discussed after the Ukrainian challenged him, looking to complete a lineup of the greatest heavyweights of this era: Wilder, Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Sources tell ESPN that the fight is very real and while talks have begun, sedate negotiations have started too overdue. Before Usyk came along, the Chisora fight was close to being signed. But it shows that Wilder is still irresistible to fellow fighters, promoters and fans.

“I’m very… I don’t know if proud is the right word or pleased. I’m joyful for him,” Finkel says.

Relieved?

“Oh yes. Boxing is a reflection of life. A few years ago I gave my wife a birthday card: [It said] “Life is great, but not perfect.” The winners of life rise up. Are you going to get knocked down… Do I give up or do I get up?”

Wilder is back on the pitch… Whether he will win is a completely different matter. Perhaps he needs to rediscover his mask-wearing alter ego to rediscover his aged self, or maybe the time is right for a fresh approach.

Wilder and Chisora, with 66 knockouts each, are expected to bring excitement, entertainment and fireworks to the ring, even if both fighters soften on the outside.

“There is no way this is going to work in all rounds,” Wilder predicts. “With WAR Chisora and brown bomber Wilder… It’s the perfect combination. The timing is perfect. The opportunity is perfect, the place to do it is perfect.”

On Saturday, Wilder will have perhaps one last chance to show whether the “Bronze Bomber” can recover from his injury best. If not, he can rest simple, but his dreams of further accolades will remain the same.

Boxing

Tim Bradleys Honest Assessment of Christian Mbillis Performance in Canelo Alvarez Defeat

Published

3 hours ago

November 2, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Tim Bradley's Honest Assessment of Christian Mbilli's Performance in Canelo Alvarez Defeat

Canelo Alvarez once again reigns as a super-middleweight world champion after defeating Christian Mbilli on Saturday, and two-division world champion Tim Bradley has offered his thoughts on the win.

Ahead of the bout, there were doubts as to whether a 36-year-old Canelo still had the hunger and desire to come out on top in a potential firefight, as Mbilli vowed to take the fight to the Mexican and spring the upset.

However, the intelligence of the four-division world champion shone through on fight night as the veteran claimed a unanimous-decision win with one of his most impressive displays in recent years.

On his YouTube channelBradley suggested that part of Canelo’s success was down to him being able to intimidate Mbilli and throw the French-Cameroonian off his game plan.

“Man that dude p***ed down his leg! He got in the ring with Canelo, he felt that presence of Canelo. You can slow a motherf***a down just with your presence! Just you being right there, like you the boogeyman.

“He has been watching Canelo tear up stuff over the years, Mbilli, and he finally got in the ring with his a** and he was just like ‘oh, yeah this is a different level, these lights is too bright!’.

“Man, he got spooked last night. Damn, Mbilli got spooked last night. All of the muscles that he has got, I am like ‘man come on, at least go for it,’ but he was scared to get countered.

“They came in with an entirely different game plan, he lost his identity last night, that is how bad that s**t was.”

Bradley then went on to declare his belief that Canelo has a lot more to give to the sport, shunning any idea that Alvarez should soon hang up the gloves.

“He has got a lot left in the tank and he showed that last night when he tamed that damn Mbilli, that was supposed to be coming and throwing all of these punches.

“That motherf***a threw all of these punches and he missed all of them damn shots!”

Canelo is understood to have one fight left on his contract with Riyadh Season but, as of right now, he looks unlikely to be able to secure his targeted opponent for that outing.

Boxing

Mayweather Prepares for Garcia Fight in Bangkok without Tyson or Pacquiao

Published

22 hours ago

November 1, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Mayweather Prepares for Garcia Fight in Bangkok without Tyson or Pacquiao"

Floyd Mayweather has confirmed a December 19 exhibition against Matty Floyd in Bangkok, calling the contest a warm-up before facing Ryan Garcia, with Mike Zambidis, Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao absent from his latest plans.

The undefeated boxing legend announced the fight through his verified Instagram account, confirming he will face the Australian in Thailand at an event billed as “The GOAT vs. The Jedi.”

“This is a lil tune up before me and Ryan Garcia lock up,” Mayweather stated.

The statement comes after months of plans involving Tyson, Zambidis and Pacquiao, none of whom has made it into the ring with Mayweather despite previous announcements.

In Mayweather’s last interview at a Dmitriy Salita promotion, the former pound-for-pound king stated he was heading to Greece to fulfill his postponed agreement with Zambidis.

Mayweather vs. Matty Floyd

The December 19 exhibition will see Mayweather face a fighter already familiar to World Boxing News readers.

Floyd, nicknamed “The Jedi,” faced former world champion James DeGale under Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship rules, losing a unanimous decision in September 2025.

The Australian later told WBN that DeGale had reportedly knocked out six sparring partners before their contest, insisting his awkward style made the former Olympic champion look ordinary.

Floyd also became involved in a bizarre feud with Billy Joe Saunders, even traveling to England for a proposed meeting in a pub car park.

The confrontation never happened, despite Floyd telling WBN he had flown over specifically to confront Saunders.

James DeGale lands punch on Matt Floyd during bare-knuckle fight after six sparring KOs claim — BKFC

Mayweather vs. Ryan Garcia

Whatever happens against Floyd, Mayweather could have the opportunity to challenge Garcia for the WBC welterweight title if a professional fight can be agreed.

Garcia has already made it clear he wants a professional contest against Mayweather, rather than an exhibition.

As WBN reported on October 7Garcia revealed that Mayweather had approached him about a potential fight.

“I’m ready Floyd, remember you made this call,” Garcia stated.

The reigning WBC welterweight champion wants Mayweather’s famous 50-0 record on the line.

Mayweather, who turns 50 in February, has not fought professionally since defeating Conor McGregor in 2017.

David Benavidez has already warned Mayweather against risking his undefeated record against the younger champion.

Tyson and Pacquiao Plans

During a recent PBD Podcast appearance, Mayweather indicated an exhibition with Tyson would come before the Pacquiao rematch.

The Pacquiao fight has already suffered repeated delays, with the original September plans falling apart amid unresolved commitments and legal complications.

Mayweather previously suggested the rematch was close to being finalized, only for Pacquiao’s representatives to acknowledge that negotiations remained on “Floyd Time.”

Neither the Tyson nor Pacquiao fight has been formally canceled, while no date or signed agreement has been announced for Garcia.

Whether the Bangkok appearance leads to a professional comeback against Garcia remains to be seen. Mayweather has named plenty of potential opponents, but getting those fights over the line has proved a different matter.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.

Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.

Boxing

Turki Snubs Canelo After $47 Million World Title Victory

Published

23 hours ago

November 1, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Turki Snubs Canelo After $47 Million World Title Victory"

Canelo Alvarez defeated Christian Mbilli in Riyadh just two days after ballistic missile debris fell in the Saudi capital, but Turki Alalshikh snubbed the Mexican superstar by spending much of the fight talking to the person beside him instead of watching the action.

Alvarez reclaimed the WBC super middleweight title by unanimous decision, with judges scoring the contest 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112. World Boxing News scored the fight 118-110.

Canelo’s reported $47 million guarantee was part of his lucrative four-fight agreement with Riyadh Season.

The fight went ahead despite serious security concerns after Saudi Civil Defense reported that debris from two intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles fell in Riyadh on Thursday, October 29.

One civilian suffered minor injuries, while a house and vehicle were damaged just two days before Canelo and Mbilli stepped into the ring.

Yet as Canelo fought, Alalshikh repeatedly turned toward his ringside companion for lengthy conversations.

World Boxing News witnessed Alalshikh talking during the vast majority of rounds, including several moments when the fighters were exchanging punches directly in front of him.

For a fighter of Canelo’s stature, competing for a world title in a contest worth a reported $47 million to him, the repeated conversations gave the appearance of a ringside snub from the man helping bankroll the event.

Turki’s Ringside Behavior

Turki’s extraordinary behavior caught the attention of fans, as well as WBN.

“Nice to see the massive fight fan Turki Al-Sheikh having a conversation throughout the entire fight,” one viewer posted on X.

Another declared: “Turki has completely checked out of boxing.”

A third posted: “Bro Turki Alalshikh hasn’t watched a moment of this fight ….”

WBN’s Take

Turki proclaims to be a boxing fan, but showing up and appearing so blatantly uninterested in watching the action hardly supports that claim.

It almost looked as though the matchmaker wanted to make a point about something. Whether that was his intention is something only Alalshikh can explain.

Why would anyone involved in bringing Canelo back for a fight reportedly worth almost $50 million to the Mexican, with the contest going ahead in Riyadh just two days after missile debris injured a civilian and damaged property, appear so uninterested in watching?

Oleksandr Usyk congratulates Canelo in Riyadh — Usyk | Riyadh Season

It’s unfathomable and, in WBN’s view, an indication that boxing still has a long way to go in the region.

Alalshikh has brought enormous money into boxing and helped make some major fights happen. But spending millions does not automatically mean you get a free pass for everything.

Boxing suffers when those running it give the impression they don’t care about what’s transpiring in front of them.

Unfortunately for Turki, his behavior during Canelo’s victory will give further fuel to those who already criticize.

He could have been discussing business, but why choose those 36 minutes to do so when Canelo was fighting for a world title directly in front of him?

The man helping Canelo’s later career appeared to have other things on his mind. Whatever his reasons, repeatedly turning away from one of boxing’s biggest stars during a world title victory was, in WBN’s view, a poor look for all concerned.

And the fact Turki jumped into the ring afterwards to celebrate wildly only adds to the mystery of why he spent so much of the fight looking elsewhere.

About the Author

Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.