Black History Maker of Alabama: Wilder Hopes to Make More History

Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa, 92.9 WTUG, Praise 93.3, 105.1 The Block, and the Tuscaloosa Thread are proud to present the 2024 Black History Makers of Alabama.

Yellowhammer State is filled with great African American leaders from the past, present, and future. We thank our West Alabama community partners, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Delta Phi Lambda Chapter, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Xi Omega Chapter, for their continued support.

Black History Maker of Alabama – Deontay Wilder

They call Tuscaloosa "Titletown" for a reason, and it goes way past just Alabama football's 18 national crowns. There's national titles by Tide softball, gymnastics and golf. There's the uncanny national success of the Shelton State cheer squad.

And there is most certainly former heavyweight boxing champion Deontay Wilder, aka the Bronze Bomber. He's made history, specifically Black History, and Wilder plans to make even more.

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Wilder is called "The Bronze Bomber" due to winning a broze medal at the Olympics. He has recently claimed he is willing to jump in and fight Oleksandr Usyk next if Tyson Fury doesn't. The undisputed bout between the two champions has been rescheduled to May 18 after initially being set to take place February 17.

If Fury can't get healthy by then, another opponent will be needed. At 6'7" tall, it's hard to miss Wilder when he raises his hand asking for consideration.

Wilder is now back in training and, despite his defeat to Joseph Parker, has thrown his hat into the ring. Recently, Wilder told ESNews: "I'm ready, I'm always ready for whoever no matter what.

"No matter how much training I've got, whether I'm three weeks in or eight weeks in, it doesn't matter, I'm a fighter."

"I'm really putting myself up against anyone."

Sometimes when he's making a point, former Central High football and basketball star Wilder can go R-rated:

"I'm still that motherf***er man, don't get it twisted," he said. "We're putting all the stuff back together.

"I at one point in time lost the love for this business. "The success did a lot to me because it really took me out of my element.

"I used to be a gym rat instead of just coming to the gym whenever I have fights.

"All of it's changed, I've rededicated myself back to this s***, I'm in the gym now and taking it like a job now."

Whether it's this May or not, the 38-year old Wilder will eventually get his chance at title contention. People have learned not to count this former beer truck driver and noted dad out.

Those who have, have often ended up on their backs in the middle of a boxing ring.

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