Deontay Wilder: The Man Behind The Punch

How Much Is Deontay Wilder Worth?

Alright, let's break this down. Deontay Wilder, the towering heavyweight boxer from Alabama, boasts a net worth of $30 million. But here's the thing—this guy isn’t just about the money; he’s about legacy. In 2015, Deontay became the WBC heavyweight champion, breaking a nearly decade-long drought for American heavyweight champions. That’s right, folks, almost ten years without an American heavyweight champ. Deontay stepped in and changed the game.

Now, let’s talk dollars and cents. Deontay’s biggest paydays include $2 million from his first fight against Luis Ortiz, $10 million from his first bout with Tyson Fury, another $10 million for Dominic Breazeale, and $20 million for the Luis Ortiz rematch. But here’s the big one—his rematch with Tyson Fury in February 2020 netted him $28 million. Between June 2019 and June 2020, Deontay earned a staggering $45 million. Not too shabby for a guy who started boxing at the age of 20.

Early Days: From Tuscaloosa to the Ring

Deontay Wilder was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on October 22, 1985. He attended Tuscaloosa Central High School and graduated in 2004. Back then, Deontay dreamed of playing football or basketball for The University of Alabama. But life has a way of throwing curveballs. In 2005, he had a daughter with his girlfriend Helen Duncan. Unfortunately, their daughter was born with Spina Bifida, which meant Deontay couldn’t attend college far from home. Instead, he enrolled at Shelton State Community College to stay close to his family.

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Deontay’s dreams of playing Division 1 sports were shattered, and he fell into a deep depression. He even considered suicide at one point. But here’s the thing about Deontay—he’s a fighter, literally and figuratively. He eventually turned his focus to boxing, a sport he didn’t start training in until he was 20 years old. Just two years later, he won the National Golden Gloves and the US Championships. In 2008, he earned a Bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics. Not bad for someone who started so late in the game.

Professional Career: The Rise of "The Bronze Bomber"

Deontay officially turned pro in November 2008 at the age of 23. He didn’t waste any time making a name for himself. His first bout ended in a TKO, and the following year, he fought nine times, winning every single one in the first round. Between 2009 and 2012, he had a 25-fight winning streak, and all of those fights were over by the fourth round. People started calling him “The Bronze Bomber,” and for good reason—this guy could punch.

In December 2012, Deontay faced Kelvin Price, who had an impressive 13-0 record going into the fight. Deontay knocked him out cold. From 2013 through late 2018, Deontay’s winning streak continued, with notable victories against Audley Harrison, Jason Gavern, and Chris Arreola. On November 4, 2017, he defeated Bermane Stiverne with a first-round knockout. Then, in March 2018, he took down Luis Ortiz in the tenth round to defend his title, earning a career-high $2 million guarantee for the fight.

First Tyson Fury Fight: The Shocking Draw

In December 2018, Deontay faced off against Tyson Fury, a British/Irish heavyweight who had stunned the world three years earlier by defeating Wladimir Klitschko. Going into the fight, Deontay had an impressive 40-0 record. More than 325,000 people paid to watch the fight on Pay-Per-View. Tyson was guaranteed $3 million, while Deontay was guaranteed $4 million. After 12 grueling rounds, the boxing world was left scratching its head when the fight was declared a draw. Both fighters walked away with over $10 million each.

Just a few months later, in May 2019, Deontay defeated Dominic Breazeale with a first-round knockout. His earnings from the fight, including purse and PPV profits, likely topped $10 million. In November 2019, he faced Luis Ortiz again and won, earning $3 million base and a total guarantee of $20 million for the rematch.

Second Tyson Fury Fight: The Bitter Defeat

The rematch with Tyson Fury was set for 2020, and both fighters were guaranteed $28 million, plus a 50/50 split of pay-per-view profits. The fight took place on February 22, 2020, and this time, Tyson Fury came out on top with a TKO in the seventh round. It was a tough loss for Deontay, but it only added to his legacy as one of the most exciting heavyweights in boxing history.

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Personal Life: Family and Fame

Deontay isn’t just a boxer; he’s a family man. He has eight children, including two daughters and a son with his ex-wife, Jessica Scales-Wilder. As of this writing, he’s engaged to television personality Telli Swift, who was featured on the show "WAGS Atlanta." If that’s not enough excitement for you, Deontay also has a younger brother named Marsellos, who’s also a professional boxer. It’s safe to say boxing runs in the family.