Deontay Wilder has revealed he originally intended to kill internet troll Charlie Zelenoff after he abused his daughter online in 2014.
The former WBC heavyweight champion travelled to Los Angeles eight years ago to teach Zelenoff a lesson.
Wilder claimed Zelenoff racially abused him while making fun of his daughter, Naieya, who suffers from the spine-related condition of spina bifida.
Zelenoff signed a legal waiver to assure he wouldn't sue for any damages before being beaten from pillar to post around a local gym.
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In a recent chat with the Pivot Podcast ahead of his return to the ring against Robert Helenius on October 15, Wilder opened up on the incident for the first time.
The 'Bronze Bomber' admitted he had much darker intentions when touching down in LA had it not been for a cameraman filming their altercation.
"I really went there to kill him, to shoot him to be honest," he declared. "And the Devil got in me at one point in time because we were in some alleys and my voice changed, cuz was there with me, I brought cuz with me too.
"One point in time my whole demeanour about myself changed, I was like, 'Come in this alley.'
"I knew what I was gonna do, even cuz will tell you. My whole demeanour, my face changed because I knew what my capabilities were.
"But I knew I couldn't do it because my cameraman was one of my good friends and I had a vision of him snitching on us and I would've had to shoot him too.
"I told him, I said, 'I couldn't do it, because I would've had to shoot you too. Because I saw you telling on us.'
"And he started, 'Oh no, D.' And I'm like, 'No, I'm serious. I would've had to shoot you too.'"
Wilder says he held beck because there's a side of him he 'really doesn't want people to see'.
He added: "There's one part of Deontay Wilder who is the silly guy, the humble guy and the funny guy with a nice smile.
"But there is another part of me that I really don't want people to see. That's the part will come and get you.
"But I really held back, because my original plans were to really hurt this dude, man.
"Some people don't really know that side of me, but I brought it out and I don't like to bring that out for people to see."
The 36-year-old has been out of action since losing to Tyson Fury in their trilogy bout last year.
He's hoping to get back into world title contention with victory over Helenius, who is on a three-fight win streak.
Topics: Deontay Wilder
Daniel Marland