DEONTAY WILDER’s future is at heavyweight – even if the ‘bridgerweight’ category was ‘designed for me’.
The WBC announced in November 2020 they will introduce boxing’s 18th division, which comes between cruiserweight and heavyweight.
And Wilder – who is set for a comeback against Robert Helenius in October – appeared to be the perfect face of bridgerweight.
But the former WBC champion has no interest in moving down, even if it did offer him the chance of another belt and mega payday.
He told The Last Stand Podcast last year: “I understand that people have to make money and this is a way to create a way for people to make people with these belts.
“But, as a fighter that’s in it, I don’t understand all these different weight classes and stuff like that.
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“If it’s specifically designed for me to be the face of it, you know, I decline.”
Wilder, 36, was dethroned of his heavyweight belt by Tyson Fury.
He Alabama heavyweight also lost the trilogy bout between the pair.
He will return to the ring after a year out when he faces Helenius on October 15 in New York.
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Wilder added: “My career is to be a heavyweight and that’s what I got in for and that’s what I’m going to end with. Guys always outweighed me.
“In my last fight I was 231, so far as putting on weight that’s not a difficult part for me.
“As for as going down in weight my power makes up for all of that.
“If they really want me hurt someone and smash the head into an avocado then be my guest. I have too much power for a weight class that low.
“I’m already knocking guys out that weigh 50 pounds heavier than me, 30 pounds heavier than me, I don’t think it would be a good idea to go lower than what I am.
“I should be exempt for that. But that’s just my opinion.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk