Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder is an American professional boxer who held the WBC heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020 and became known as one of the hardest punchers in boxing history. Born on October 22, 1985, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Wilder did not take up boxing until the age of 20, an unusually late start for a professional fighter. Despite his late entry into the sport, his natural athleticism and devastating punching power propelled him to a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, making him the last American male boxer to medal at the Olympics at that time.

Wilder turned professional in 2008 and went on an extraordinary winning streak, stopping nearly every opponent he faced. In January 2015, he defeated Bermane Stiverne to win the WBC heavyweight championship, becoming the first American heavyweight champion in nearly a decade. He made ten successful title defenses, with his right hand proving to be one of the most feared weapons in the sport. His knockout ratio of over 90 percent was among the highest of any heavyweight champion in history.

The defining chapter of Wilder’s career came in his trilogy with Tyson Fury. Their first fight in December 2018 ended in a controversial draw, with Wilder knocking Fury down twice but Fury outboxing him for much of the fight. The rematch in February 2020 saw Fury dominate and stop Wilder in the seventh round to claim the WBC title. The trilogy bout in October 2021 produced one of the greatest heavyweight fights ever, with Fury winning by knockout in the eleventh round after both fighters were knocked down multiple times.

With an estimated net worth of $30 million as of 2026, Wilder earned the majority of his wealth from his heavyweight title defenses, the Fury trilogy which generated hundreds of millions in pay-per-view revenue, and endorsement deals. His earning power as one of boxing’s biggest attractions made him one of the highest-paid athletes in combat sports during his prime years.