Deontay Wilder never felt better than he did while he was preparing to face a boxing superstar in a bout that never happened.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ is excited for the future, with the icon training hard for his return to action on June 25, at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas, USA.
And while Wilder had an incredible interaction with Tyrrell Herndon several years ago, the American won’t hold back from trying to render his countryman unconscious when they set foot inside the ring together.
However, while he’s looking forward to the next step, he still remains disappointed that one major fight slipped out of his grasp.
WOW: Deontay Wilder reveals his favorite knockout from his entire career… ‘Things did get heated‘
Deontay Wilder thinks he would’ve knocked out Alexander Povetkin
On May 21, 2016, Deontay Wilder was scheduled to battle it out with Alexander Povetkin in Moscow, Russia, in a clash of two of the biggest punchers the world has ever seen.
Alas, the bout was ultimately cancelled, leaving the American absolutely devastated.
The legendary power-puncher is adamant that he was ready to produce the performance of a lifetime.
In an exclusive interview with Bloody Knockout, the warrior explained: “I would’ve knocked Alexander Povetkin out, that’s for sure.
“I never felt the way I felt as a fighter than I did than when I was getting ready to fight him, knowing that I had to go to Russia, into enemy territory.
“I took that fight so extreme that I was super laser-focused, I never had that focus again in my career.
“You’ve got to understand, when fighters are getting ready for fights, they really have to stay disciplined, surrender to everything that is on the outside, and focus on the plan ahead.
“We’re literally training months at a time to take another man’s head off. That can take a lot. You can’t be distracted. That’s why a lot of fighters go away, outside of their city or state, even country, to get isolated from people, thoughts, and worries, so they can get truly focused.
“I was so focused and to do all that training and get my mind prepared to go to another country, that mental drain, it really impacted me. A fight that didn’t even happen affected me because of the preparation, emotions, and training that I put into it.
“All of that for no reward after. It will drain you and take something out of you.
“I really wish I would’ve had the opportunity to go to Russia and whoop Povetkin’s a–.”
Deontay Wilder says it’s ‘on sight’ with Jarrell Miller
With Povetkin now retired, Wilder will never get his opportunity to get his hands on his old nemesis.
However, another of his rivals, Jarrell Miller, is still very much on the scene.
The former WBC world champion can’t stand ‘Big Baby’, with the pair frequently jumping at opportunities to fire shots at each other.
Now, Wilder has revealed why it’s ‘on sight’ with Miller.