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Road to recovery: Alabama’s Deontay Wilder talks surgeries post-heavyweight title

Deontay Wilder at a press conference. (Karim Shamsi-Basha/Alabama NewsCenter)
Deontay Wilder at a press conference. (Karim Shamsi-Basha/Alabama NewsCenter)

Alabama native and WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder is on the road to recovery and discussing his most recent surgery with the public. Wilder (37-0) suffered significant injuries in a July 16th bout with Chris Arreola, which he managed to win with a broken right hand and a distal tear.

“I’m very optimistic about what’s going on,” Wilder told ABC 33/40. “And I got a strong mind knowing that this time around, once I step back into the ring, I’m gonna be better than ever.”

Wilder even took to Twitter after his operation to thank his fans for their prayers.

The Tuscaloosa native has earned a strong reputation for being one of the toughest in the business. After his most recent title defense, the Bronze Bomber said: ”

I’m one of the baddest, hardest-hitting heavyweights in the business. Right here from Alabama, baby. I came a long way. So whoever’s got those belts, that’s who I want. It don’t matter if I got a broke hand, got a torn muscle, I’m going to fight like heavyweight champions do. I don’t play boxing. Of course I want the Furys, of course I want the Joshuas, but the question is, do they want me?”

Wilder has also been fond of hosting his fights in the Yellowhammer state. His last fight, broadcast by CBS, was hosted at downtown Birmingham’s Legacy arena in front of a massive crowd.

(h/t ABC 33/40)

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