'Completely against the spirit of our sport': WBC president slams Deontay Wilder threat to opponent
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has criticized Deontay Wilder's comments in which he suggested that he would have no qualms about killing his opponent Dominic Breazeale in the ring this weekend as “regrettable.”
Wilder, the undefeated WBC heavyweight champion, defends his title against the 20-1 former Olympian Breazeale in Brooklyn's Barclay's Center on Saturday and in an apparent attempt to help drum up attention ahead of the encounter, the 'Bronze Bomber' has been vocal in detailing his problems with his fellow American fighter.
Speaking in an interview with USA Today Sports, Wilder said that he would have little issue with ending his opponent's life inside the ring.
"If he dies, he dies," Wilder said.
Also on rt.com 'If he dies, he dies': Deontay Wilder channels his inner Ivan Drago ahead of Dominic Breazeale clash"This is boxing. This is not a gentleman’s sport. This is a gladiator’s sport. And with bad blood, we know I possess the power.
In boxing, you can be able to harm a man to the point of killing a man and get paid for it in the same night. If it happens, I’m not going to apologize. He’s been asking for this all along."
One person who has taken serious issue with these comments, aside from Breazeale, is WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman.
I have seen Deontay Wilder comments which are regrettable and completely against the spirit of our sport. I have known Wilder for a long time and he is not the person he portrays in such comments. His metaphors are against the WBC code of ethics and will be addressed in a hearing
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) May 16, 2019
Writing on Twitter, Sulaiman said that Wilder's statements are completely at odds with the WBC's code of ethics and that they will be addressed in a future hearing.
"I have seen Deontay Wilder comments which are regrettable and completely against the spirit of our sport," Sulaiman stated.
"I have known Wilder for a long time and he is not the person he portrays in such comments. His metaphors are against the WBC code of ethics and will be addressed in a hearing."
Deontay Wilder on wanting to kill an opponent: “This is the only sport where you can kill a man and get paid for it at the same time...so why not use my right to do so?” #WilderBreazealepic.twitter.com/Li5bcSdHEn
— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) May 15, 2019
Wilder had been expected to face Tyson Fury in a rematch of their instant classic draw from last December, though the fact that both fighters have signed partnerships with conflicting US broadcasters is understood to have complicated the negotiations.
Breazeale, meanwhile, has been defeated just once in professional competition – a seventh-round knockout to Anthony Joshua in London in 2016.
