Deontay Wilder has maintained his claim that he could defeat even a prime Mike Tyson, despite the latter’s legendary status as one of the greatest heavyweight fighters in boxing history.
In February, Wilder reiterated his belief that he would have been victorious against Tyson during his peak. Despite Tyson’s widespread acclaim as “The Baddest Man on the Planet,” the Bronze Bomber remains steadfast in his assertion that he would “kick the hell” out of the boxing icon.
In 2018, Deontay Wilder openly expressed to TMZ that if he were to face Mike Tyson in his prime year of 1986, he firmly believed he would defeat him convincingly.
He confidently stated, “Me vs Tyson in ’86, I’d kick the hell outta that guy. Listen, I’ve got to keep it real. I know people always go back to the old school or look at the new school and there’s no school where I’m not No1 on Earth.”
It’s worth noting that Deontay Wilder’s highly anticipated fight against Tyson Fury in December of the same year ended in a controversial draw, leaving fans and analysts with mixed opinions on the outcome.
In the week leading up to this year’s rematch between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, Wilder reaffirmed his belief that he would defeat Mike Tyson in his prime. He emphasized his confidence in his abilities, claiming that his natural killer instinct set him apart from others and that nobody could ever knock him out.
In an interview with EsNews, Wilder elaborated on the advantages he believed he possessed over Tyson, stating that his hand speed, height, reach, athleticism, and footwork all played significant roles in giving him an edge in a potential matchup.
While acknowledging Mike Tyson’s greatness in his era, Wilder firmly believed that the new era of boxing, with its technological advancements, should favor the new-school fighters like himself.
His unwavering confidence in his skills and his assertion that nobody could match his natural killer instinct showcased his determination to prove his mettle in the ring.
Despite his confident claims, Deontay Wilder, who is 34 years old, faced a humbling defeat as he was knocked out and left sprawled on the canvas in the seventh round of his rematch with Tyson Fury. However, the defeat hasn’t deterred him from seeking redemption. Wilder has exercised his option for a trilogy bout with Fury, indicating his determination to regain his position and prove himself in the ring once again.
