Golden moment for Bronze Bomber
The city of Tuscaloosa honoured former world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder of Druid City, with his very own statue at a ceremony held at the Tuscaloosa River Market.
Hosted by the city of Tuscaloosa, the ceremony included a meeting with the legendary fighter and was attended by the city’s mayor, Walt Maddox, along with other local officials.
“Today, as a city, we honor and celebrate a WBC heavyweight champion whose name is etched alongside legends like Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and Mike Tyson,” said Mayor Maddox.
When you think about it, it’s absolutely amazing and this young man is a pride of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.”
The statue was completed by another Tuscaloosa resident, Caleb O’Connor, whose other works can be seen in the downtown Federal Courthouse building, as well as Manderson Landing.
Larger than life Wilder’s life-size sculpture, cast in bronze in honour of his nickname, is located at the River Market, where the ceremony took place.
“No matter how far I’ve come, even in other countries, when they talk about Deontay Wilder, they know he’s originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. And yet, to this day, this is my home. Call it my home… there’s no better feeling,” Wilder commented.
Wilder has represented his city on the world stage since he competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics when he was 23 years old. He won a bronze medal during his only Olympic appearance, earning him the nickname “The Bronze Bomber”, before turning professional later that year.
The 6-foot-7 Central High School graduate began his boxing career much later than most pros, working numerous local jobs before first entering a boxing gym in his early 20s.
Wilder’s first daughter, Naieya, was born in 2005 with a spinal disorder known as spina bifida. He learned boxing while taking classes at Shelton State Community College in hopes of providing financial stability for his family.
Wilder has a record of 42 wins, 2 losses and a draw, with 41 of his wins coming by knockout. He won the World Boxing Council heavyweight title in 2015 by defeating Bermane Stiverne by decision and defended the belt ten times before falling to Tyson Fury in February 2022. Wilder was the first American boxer to win the heavyweight title since 2007, and following the victory, he was presented with the key to the city by Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox in June of the same year.
Photos by JR Moore
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