A video of Deontay Wilder admitting he was wearing a 45-pound vest during training sessions has emerged online.
The American knockout sensation saw his unbeaten streak coming to a halt this past weekend after absorbing a seventh-round technical knockout loss to Tyson Fury in their highly-anticipated heavyweight title rematch.
Wilder was dropped twice for the first time in his career e before his corner, Mark Breland, threw in the towel in the seventh frame, leading to the stoppage.
Looking to bounce back from this stunning defeat, the former WBC heavyweight champion is set to exercise his right for a third fight, which could happen later this year.
In the wake of the TKO loss, Wilder has blamed his 45-pound costume – a suit he used to pay tribute to Black History Month- saying it weakened his legs after the ring walk.
Weak Legs
Speaking to ESPN, Wilder said his legs were not on their 100% during the rematch because his ring walk costume was too heavy that he felt he had an intense workout before the fight.
“I paid a severe price because my legs were how they were because of my uniform,” Wilder claimed.
“My uniform was way too heavy. It was 40-plus pounds. We had it on 10 or 15 minutes before we even walked out and then put the helmet on.”
“That was extra weight, then the ring walk, then going up the stairs. It was like a real workout for my legs. When I took it off, I knew immediately that game has changed.”
“I really let the designers freelance with it. It was really their idea.”
“By the third round, I had no legs. I was completely done. My legs were gone. I had to step into survival mode very early.”
“But you know me — I’m going out on my shield. I’m a fighter. I’m a warrior. That’s what I do.”
Extra Weight
A lot of boxing fans were disappointed with how Wilder is dealing with his recent defeat, saying he gave the ‘worst excuse of all-time.’
This costume excuse, however, was debunked by Wilder’s previous appearance at the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where he said, “I wear a 45-pound vest on me as well too in all of my exercising and everything I do to have that extra weight on me”.
Watch it below:
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Deontay Wilder and Twitter/ Boxing On BT Sport)