DEONTAY WILDER // PREPARING TO FIGHT

DEONTAY WILDER // PREPARING TO FIGHT
Deontay Wilder is still on track for a Sept. 26 fight.
Wilder and his co-manager and trainer, Jay Deas, again took that stance on Thursday night when Wilder was signing books and giving a talk at the Weaver Bolden Branch Library in Tuscaloosa.
But the location and opponent is still to be determined. After Wilder knocked out Eric Molina in the ninth round to improve his record to 34-0 with 33 knockouts on June 13, Deas mentioned Biloxi, Montreal or out west as possible locations.
It won’t be Alexander Povetkin, who earned a mandatory challenger fight against Wilder. Deas said negotiations for that fight have to begin by Oct. 15, and Wilder wanted to get a fight in before then. It will be against someone in the WBC top 15. Wilder didn’t tip his hand to any potential opponents.
Lucas Browne, a 36-year-old unbeaten Australian ranked No. 6, recently called out Wilder.
“Definitely going to pull some of these guys’ cards that have been running their mouth,” Wilder said. “A lot of guys have a big mouth. You get to the point where you can overtalk yourself until the time comes and your card is pulled and we’re going to see what happens.
“I always wanted to be the world’s most wanted in a positive way. I’m looking for those that really want this opportunity and not just for the money. I do it for my legacy.”
Deas said that he, Wilder and his team does self-scout after a fight, but hasn’t put together a full report against Molina. Wilder knocked Molina down four times in the fight, and the referee ended the fight in the ninth round.
Wilder came out of the fight with no injuries, Deas said, and his hand – fractured in January against Bermane Stiverne – is good.
“We did a lot of things really well as far as his timing and his spacing,” Deas said. “He did some things we need to improve upon as far as backing straight up. We’ll look at it from top to bottom and we’ll have a 20-point list we’ll go through.”
Right now, Wilder is spending his time traveling around the country for various appearances. He returned from a trip to Los Angeles and Las Vegas and will head back out to California soon for the BET celebrity basketball game and awards show this weekend. He’ll also attend the ESPY awards.
“It’s been fun,” Wilder said. “It’s good. I’m not complaining at all. I’m blessed, like I said. I’m looking forward to more. I want to be one of the biggest that’s ever came from Alabama. I want to be on top of the world. I’ve got the right people around me. We’re looking forward to it all.”
Deas also said that there are talks for a celebration in Birmingham for Wilder on July 4.
“They’re trying to put that together now,” he said.
A spokesperson for mayor William Bell’s office confirmed the news, and it will be a big day for Wilder.
Wilder will be a guest of the Bell’s for the Barons game, throw out the first pitch, get a key to the City and participate in Thunder on the Mountain fireworks show after the game.
Wilder said the fight in front of 9,500 fans in Birmingham at Bartow Arena was ‘epic,’ and that while he should fight in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, there are more details to be ironed out.
“I’ve had the majority of my fights here,” he said. “Now that I’m at the big stage, it’s only right. There’s a long way to go and a lot of things that need to be ironed out. Until then, I’ll be doing my shows in Birmingham.”

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Courtesy of al.com