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Deontay Wilder Told Dominic Breazeale He "Loved Him" After Brutal First-Round Knockout

Deontay Wilder Told Dominic Breazeale He "Loved Him" After Brutal First-Round Knockout

The WBC champion destroyed Breazeale to defend his world title.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Deontay Wilder issued a very respectful post-fight interview after obliterating Dominic Breazeale in New York.

In the build-up to the WBC heavyweight world title bout, Wilder was embroiled in controversy after saying he wanted a body on his record.

"Anyone can go. And on this particular time, we've got real bad blood against each other," he said on fight week. "This is the only sport where you can kill a man and get paid for it at the same time. It's legal. So why not use my right to do so?

"I can't wait. Like I said, he's like a fly in my ear. I can't wait to get him out.

"It's going to be in dramatic fashion, in a fashion nobody has ever seen.

"His life is on the line, and I do mean his life.

"I'm still trying to get me a body on my record."

But Wilder changed his tune after recording his 41st professional victory. The unbeaten-American told Breazeale he loved him.

"I know there's been a lot of animosity, hatred and chaos towards each other. There were a lot of words that were said," he said.

"I told him I love him and, of course, I want to see him go home to his family.

"I know we say some things that we mean sometime, but when you get into a fight and settle your differences as men, hold your gloves up... this is what this sport is all about.

"You can come to the next guy and you can hug him and kiss and say thank you so much, instead of other things.

"I wish the world was like that."

Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman condemned Wilder for his death threat but the pair embraced in the ring after his brutal knockout victory.

Wilder will face a hearing over his comments with a possible sanction on the cards.

After successfully defending his WBC belt for the ninth time, the 33-year-old is expected to return to the ring in the fall with a rematch versus Luis Ortiz reportedly in the works.

Will Wilder record another victory against the veteran Cuban? Let us know what you think.

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Topics: Boxing News, Boxing, Heavyweight, Fight News, Wilder, WBC, Joshua, fury