SAN FRANCISCO — Deontay Wilder never had any doubts.
Wilder successfully defended his WBC world heavyweight title last month with a brutal ninth-round knockout of Artur Szpilka. The win pushed Wilder’s record to 36-0 (35 knockouts) and further showed just how much power is in The Bronze Bomber’s right hand.
“It went as expected,” Wilder told NESN.com’s Ashley Allen this week on Radio Row ahead of Super Bowl 50. “When I hit him, I really thought I killed him. I didn’t see him moving at all. It was one of the most devastating knockouts of this year and it’s already being labeled as a potential Knockout of the Year — already at the beginning of the year — so that’s amazing.”
Don’t be fooled, though. While Wilder is an animal when it comes to boxing, he actually has a soft heart. The champ explained to Allen that he always hopes for his opponents to leave the ring in good health, and he got into boxing to support his daughter, who suffers from spina bifida.
Wilder also touched on Sunday’s clash between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos and about the time he considered a football career. But one of the most entertaining revelations was when Allen asked Wilder which current NFL player he’d most like to fight.
His response: Cam Newton.
“He’s got the size and he’s definitely in the heavyweight division,” said Wilder, who later added that Newton’s a great person. “He’s very athletic on the field and stuff like that, so I like some competition and I would love to face him.”
For Wilder’s full interview, check out NESN’s YouTube page.