U.S. Olympic Boxing Spotlight: Heavyweight – Deontay Wilder

© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing

Deontay Wilder was born on October 22, 1985 and lives in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He began boxing in 2005 and is coached by Jay Deas. He has a two-year old daughter, Naieya, who suffers from the medical condition Spina Bifida and serves as his biggest influence and motivation.

Wilder, who has only been boxing for less than three years, has already accomplished a lot by winning several local and national amateur titles. His career highlights include: two-time Alabama Golden Gloves Champion, Southern Golden Gloves Champion, Nation Golden Gloves Champion, Southeastern District Champion and National Champion.

To qualify for the U.S. Olympic boxing team, he not only had to overcome his opponents but also being under the weather. “Every major tournament I went to, I seemed to get sick; I caught the flu or something,” said Wilder. “At the second qualification, I said I’m claiming it right here no matter what happens.”

“I caught the flu in Russia and had two weeks before leaving for the Americas Qualifier in Trinidad ,” continued Wilder. “When I got back to Colorado Springs, where we train, I didn’t train at all. I was in bed trying to recover; I think sleeping is the best cure to recovery. The only time I had a chance to train is when I arrived in Trinidad. Coming from Alabama, I was used to the warmer weather there. I got to training and working hard.”

During the Americas Qualifier, the heavyweight had to come back from point deficits, “Every fight I fought in during that competition, I had to come back in the fourth round. These guys must have thought to themselves, ‘what is this guy on?’ I would be down three or four points going into the fourth round, which is major points to be down.

“My coach and my girlfriend Jessica were in Trinidad supporting me and we knew if I didn’t qualify, we would have to go to the last qualification in Guatemala .”

Wilder laughed as he sang a verse from the song that he and his coach made up in Trinidad, “I don’t want to go to Guatemala, no, no, no. We would sing that every night after we won.”

Whether it was the support, the singing, his determination or a combination of the three, Wilder qualified in Trinidad by making it to the finals.

When asked what it’s like to be a part of the U.S. Olympic boxing team, the heavyweight replied, “It feels great, I feel it’s an honor and a great opportunity to travel and represent our country. When this event occurs every four years ,so many people come together regardless of race. It’s like we all are one at this moment of the Olympics.”

Like his team mates, Wilder has spent his time training in Colorado Springs since September. “Training got better for me when I didn’t have to think about qualifying anymore; I was officially on the team,” said Wilder. “I could work on my technique and work on things that will help me in the games.”

Although working with different coaches was difficult at first, he felt it improved over time. “It was kind of difficult for me, every coach has their own technique on how you should stand or jab. At first, it was kind of rough but it’s on now. It’s been great, I think we have some great coaches; I’m looking for goodness in Beijing, China.”

For Wilder the entire experience has been surreal, “When I’m at home, people come outside chanting ‘let’s go USA! Let’s go!’ It’s a great feeling. An average person can’t make it to the Olympics or even see the Olympics. It’s a once in a lifetime thing to see. I just want to go and have fun and take back all the memories and I can tell my grandkids one day that in 2008, I was at Beijing.”

In speaking with Wilder last month at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, New York, he was confident and truly seemed to be enjoying every bit of the experience. Although he is looking forward to the memories, none could be more memorable than winning the gold as his last comment to me was, “By the way, I’m going get that Gold Medal.”

© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing

Watch for the final U.S. Olympic Boxing Spotlight on Light Flyweight Luis Yanez