DEONTAY WILDER has phoned the designers behind his controversial ring-walk outfit and promised to use them again for his next fight, SunSport can reveal.
Wilder blamed his seventh-round defeat to Tyson Fury on the mask, crown and body armour he wore which he claimed was too heavy as he made his way to the ring.
Deontay Wilder blamed his ring outfit suit for his loss to Tyson FuryCredit: AP:Associated Press
LA designers Cosmo + Donato made Wilder’s ring outfitCredit: Supplied
But all was forgiven in an emotional phone call Tuesday night, when Wilder rang Donato Crowley, 52, to clear up any confusion and said he considers them “family” as they aim to move on.
The 34-year-old fearsome puncher had worked with Cosmo + Donato since his first fight with Tyson Fury, after his reality TV fiancee Telli Swift discovered their shop in West Hollywood.
THEY’RE STILL A TEAM
Cosmo revealed Wilder called them to promise that their relationship will continue, despite the recent criticism.
And they are planning to create a new costume for the third instalment of Wilder v Fury.
“Deontay Wilder called me at home last night,” Donato revealed.
“We had an extensive honest conversation that put confusion and rumours to rest, reiterating that he considers us family.
“Deontay was very clear that he looks forward to future collaborations.”
“The subject of the call then turned to Wilder v Fury III”, Cosmo interrupted.
Wilder claimed his outfit was too heavy as he walked to the ring to fight FuryCredit: Reuters
But Cosmo + Donato were told they’re still family to Wilder and will be back for Wilder v Fury IIICredit: Reuters
“All of us consider it a privilege to contribute to the cultural and professional legacy of the iconic Deontay Wilder.
“As a fashion organisation, I see no greater honour or responsibility that our team could be entrusted with.”
Although the designers wouldn’t be drawn into conversation about how much the £31,000 costume weighed, they did reveal that it had a battery pack which added to its overall weight.
They also said Wilder had to wear the costume, inspired by 60s movie The Devil Rides Out and paying tribute to Black History Month, for longer than expected.
After the fight, the former WBC heavyweight champion made the excuse that his ring outfit tired him out before he was battered by Fury.
‘MY LEGS WERE SHOT’
He told Yahoo: “He didn’t hurt me at all, but the simple fact is … that my uniform was way too heavy for me.
“I didn’t have no legs from the beginning of the fight. In the third round, my legs were just shot all the way through.
“It could easily be told that I didn’t have legs or anything. A lot of people were telling me, ‘It looked like something was wrong with you.’
“Something was, but when you’re in the ring, you have to bluff a lot of things.
Wilder’s costume was inspired by 60s horror movie The Devil Rides Out and Black History MonthCredit: Reuters
“I tried my best to do so. I knew I didn’t have the legs because of my uniform.
“I was only able to put it on [for the first time] the night before but I didn’t think it was going to be that heavy.
“It weighed 40, 40-some pounds with the helmet and all the batteries.
“I wanted my tribute to be great for Black History Month. I wanted it to be good and I guess I put that before anything.”
Wilder’s ring-walk suits have become more and more elaborate.
The elaborate costumes are the works of Los Angeles-based designers Cosmo + Donato, and can cost up to £60,000 a go.
Their relationship with the WBC champion began when he fought the Gypsy King for the first time.
Cosmo + Donato were commissioned by Wilder’s fiancee Telli Swift to make his ring outfits
Wilder’s fiancee Telli Swift was shopping at Cosmo’s Glamsquad when she discovered their masks
His fiancee Telli Swift saw a mask at their Cosmo’s Glamsquad store on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, and she immediately thought it would be perfect for the fearsome puncher.
However, Cosmo Lombino, 56, and Donato Crowley, 52, had no clue who Wilder was when they first asked to design an outfit for him.
Last night they said in a statement: “From day one, we have shared Deontay and Telli’s vision for the Bronze Bomber.
“We remain excited as ever to participate in the creative expression this alter-ego affords our client.
“Deontay and Telli are clear that Cosmo and Donato continue to resonate with their growth-strategy for the Bronze Bomber.
The elaborate crown and mask for Wilder’s fight with Luiz Ortiz in December 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Cosmo + Donato began working with Wilder for the first Tyson Fury fightCredit: PA:Press Association
The costumes are the creations of LA designers Cosmo + Donato
“As the complexity and sophistication of the Bronze Bomber’s aesthetic graduates to new heights, we stand by the contributions and exceptional craftsmanship we have brought.
“Last weekend, the hard work of our entire team – notably, our theatrical division—achieved an unprecedented synergy of cinematic couture and pro-sports.
“Also unprecedented, the amount of public conversation devoted to each of our collaborations with Deontay and Telli.”
Frank Warren gives his opinion on Deontay Wilder’s ring walk costume after loss to Tyson Fury
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
