DEONTAY WILDER reveals he gets scared by his devastating punching power because he fears he could kill someone in the ring.
But the heavyweight champion knows fight fans want to see boxers ‘get knocked out’ because that is what makes the sport so thrilling.
The death of American Patrick Day two-weeks ago due to injuries sustained in the ring follows the tragedies of Russian Maxim Dadashev, Argentina’s Hugo Santillan and Bulgaria’s Boris Stanchov.
Straight-talking Wilder – who has 39 KO’s in 41 fights – has been criticised in the past for claiming he wants a “body on his record”.
But speaking at the weekend, the heavy-hitter admits he is scared for his opponents every time he steps through the ropes, as his punch-power is “uncontrollable”.
The heavyweight world champion says: “I always say we risk our lives for others’ entertainment.
“It’s one of those gambles that you take.
“There’s one thing in life that’s for sure, and that’s a universal language, everybody wants to see someone get knocked the f*** out.
Of course tragedy strikes, but that’s what makes it exciting, people know that you can f***ing die in boxing.
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“It will never go anywhere, people love it, and of course tragedy strikes, but that’s what makes it exciting, people know that you can f***ing die in boxing.
“I do get scared at times because I feel uncontrollable, I’ve thought about it many, many times.”
The tragic death of 27-year-old Day shocked boxing and prompted further calls for the sport to be made safer.
But Wilder – who has four kids, including his daughter Naieya whose spina bifida is the reason he began boxing – is proud of the noble art he began aged 19 to build a better life.
Having secured the futures of his family, he refuses to listen to those who call for boxing to be banned.
He says: “I use a closed ear, my eyes are blind.
“That’s why you can’t have feeling for people that don’t understand.
“I don’t hear it or see it and if I do, it don’t matter to me – I’m well off.
“I understand that yeah you can talk about this sport, but I’ve seen how it’s blessed me, my family, my children’s family and their children’s family.”
WBC king Wilder rematches Cuban southpaw Luis Ortiz on November 23, after the Alabama puncher scored a 10th round KO in March 2018.
The heavyweight pair grew a bond after their New York thriller, as they both have daughters born with a disability.But Wilder insists he transforms from caring family man into ice-cold puncher when he enters the ring, as there is no room for love or friends in the sport.
Wilder says: “When I’m in the ring I’m a totally different person, I feel different.
“I’m The Bronze Bomber, outside the ring I’m Deontay Wilder.
“You can’t feel a certain type of way when you are the fighter – love will get you killed.
“I have tremendous power, some power that scares me.
“I’m not satisfied until I’m satisfied and sometimes that can take a few hours.”
Wilder went on a devastating run of 32 consecutive knockouts before he challenged for the world title against Bermane Stiverne in January 2015.
That night in New York Stiverne became the first man to remain on his feet against the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist.
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But just two years later, in the rematch, Wilder made short work of his Canadian foe with a first-round stoppage – meaning every opponent he faced until then had been KO’d.
However, Tyson Fury took The Bronze Bomber the distance at the end of 2018 and was desperately unfortunate not to walk away with the WBC title on away soil after a draw.