Deontay Wilder has 42 knockouts from 43 wins, and is regarded by many as one of the most devastating punchers the sport of boxing has ever seen.
With a highlight reel that plays like a feature length film, the Olympic Bronze Medalist relies on his power above all else in the ring, and, more often than not, it sees him through just fine.
Whilst doing press ahead of a fight with Fabio Wardley, a sparring partner of Wilder’s, Michael Coffie, spoke of the sessions.
Despite losing and being hard done by via an early stoppage from the referee, the New York native gave Wardley good rounds, switching stances from southpaw to orthodox and making it awkward for the British Champion. He has pop, too, with ten of his 13 victories coming by way of knockout.
It’s for this reason that he’ll likely be sought out by promoters again to step up heavyweight prospects, and they wouldn’t be the first to recognise his worth.
Coffie has been a regular in Deontay Wilder’s training camps, helping the former WBC champion in the past prepare for numerous title defences.
Speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, he gave insight into ‘The Bronze Bomber’s power and why it is so impressive.
“We spar in 18 ounce gloves, and this is what I always say. It’s the heavyweight division, so everybody got power – but I think what makes Wilder unique is that he has that same power but just in a smaller frame.
He has like the frame of a cruiserweight, but he’s punching like a big heavyweight. I think that what makes him stand out.”
Wilder has been outweighed by his opponents in all but seven of his professional contests, and came in just 14lb over the 200lb cruiserweight limit for his last fight against Robert Helenius – a first round knockout.
Coffie was in Wilder’s camp for his Bermaine Stiverne rematch, both Luis Ortiz fights and the first instalment of the Tyson Fury trilogy. He attributed the Alabama heavyweight’s knockout success to ‘punching through the target.’
“Wilder hits hard because it’s like he tries to punch through whatever he’s punching at. So there you go. [It’s] his follow through.”
The former champion has teased a comeback to the ring and back in training, but an opponent or timeframe is as yet unannounced.