Wilder Has Lost His Confidence, Says Deontay Himself

Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder says he has been seeing a sports psychologist after feeling his self-belief slip away.

“I thought about retirement many times. But the fights with Zhang and Parker really helped me analyse what’s going on. I wasn’t myself—that wasn’t the real Deontay.

At that point in my life—inside and outside the ring—there was a lot of negativity. I had to see a sports psychologist. That’s how far it went. I’m not the kind to run or hide from admitting things. I saw a specialist to organise my mind and repair what had been broken by years of domino-effect events.

You watch people around you—people who used to look you in the eye and say they loved you. When they feel there’s nothing left to gain, you see their true face. That’s when your real fight begins.

It makes you a bit tougher, a bit meaner, a bit more confident. But for me it was different—I couldn’t understand what was happening. I can’t tell you everything, but people should know I’ve been through a lot.

I really did lose my confidence—and I never thought I, Deontay Wilder, would say that. I was dealing with something far bigger than putting on gloves and beating another guy. Once I recognised the problem, I found help. I found a solution. I didn’t expect it, but I’m glad I did. Now we’ll see what comes next.”

Wilder’s next bout is set for 27 June in the United States against Tyrell Herndon. A detailed preview of the matchup can be found at the link.

Photo: Athlon Sports