Former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder possessed some of the most frightening knockout boxing has ever seen.
During the peak of his career, it seemed as if all it would take was a touch from the ‘Bronze Bomber’ to put an opponent down. This would include Wilder’s breathtaking knockdown over Tyson Fury in 2018.
Of his 43 wins, 42 have come by knockout, meaning the American boxer has an incredible stoppage percentage of over 97%.
However, despite the success that Wilder had in his career, the fighter did begin his journey in boxing in a more unorthodox way.
Deontay Wilder explains to Joe Rogan why he started boxing
In 2018, Wilder was a guest on the Joe Rogan Experience. Joe Rogan feels that Wilder is the greatest knockout artist of all time, and began asking the fighter how he began his boxing journey.
In terms of the motivation behind starting the sport, it came from his daughter. Wilder told Rogan, “I started because my daughter, that was born with spina bifida.
Spina bifida is a condition where a baby’s spine does not correctly develop in the womb. This causes holes and gaps in the spine of the affected child.
Wilder’s daughter was told by doctors that she would never walk due to the condition. However, Wilder revealed he saw boxing as a way to financially support the medical needs of his daughter.
Choosing boxing, Wilder explained to Rogan that he couldn’t pursue football or basketball, “You had to go to school for that.”
“I needed money right now,” Wilder said. He would go on to say that it was his college friend who persuaded him to do boxing, due to the fact Wilder was able to ‘handle himself’ in street fighting scenarios.
- READ MORE: Eddie Hearn says he is not targeting Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder – names two alternative fights
Deontay Wilder became an Olympian after less than two years of boxing
Not only was Wilder able to have success as a professional boxer, but he also represented his country as an amateur at the Olympic Games.
Winning a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Wilder revealed to Rogan that he was able to do this in an incredibly short period of time.
“I made the Olympics team within a year-and-a-half [of boxing training]. I started boxing at 21.”
Wilder would make his professional debut shortly after the Olympic Games, winning by TKO in November 2008.