Deontay Wilder Lashes Back in Brooklyn Ahead of Rematch With Bermane Stiverne

Deontay Wilder returns to the ring on Nov. 4 in Brooklyn (Photo: Stephane Trapp/SHOWTIME)

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By Chris Robinson

Once again, WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has found himself amidst some kind of controversy, despite not doing anything other than wanting to fight the sport’s best.

Wilder was scheduled for a Nov. 4 showdown vs. former interim WBA champion Luis Ortiz, but saw the fight scratched when the Cuban tested positive for banned diuretics chlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide, via a letter obtained from VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) president Dr. Margaret Goodman. This marks the third time in the past 18 months that Wilder has seen an opponent test positive for a banned substance ahead of a potential fight.

The Ortiz fight was cancelled, as Wilder now appears on course for a rematch with former champion Bermane Stiverne, who he defeated in January of 2015 to capture the belt.

It’s a frustrating time for Wilder, who spoke to the press inside of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he was present for last night’s SHOWTIME-televised junior middleweight championship triple-header. It’s the same venue where he will rematch Stiverne next month.

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“What other heavyweight is doing what I do?” Wilder asked. “What other heavyweight has power like me? I don’t have to put you out in punches in bunches. I don’t have to do that. One punch. Goodnight.”

Wilder (38-0, 37 KO’s) wasn’t expecting to face off with Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KO’s) a second time, but has had time to reevaluate the situation.

“I’m happy that I’ve had time to calm down and think about things,” said Wilder. “I’m happy that I’m fighting Stiverne because he’s my mandatory. I can finally get him out the way so I’ll be a free man.

“This is the story of my life,” Wilder added. “Every situation that I’m put in, I try to be optimistic about. It’s easy to appreciate the good. But when the bad comes, some people don’t know how to manage that. I’m the most frustrated guy around. I don’t understand. The best are supposed to fight the best, right? I’ve always done that. I called (Wladimir) Klitschko out years ago.”

Wilder is tired of the critics always weighing in when he has been the one sacrificing and putting his life on the line.

“People make so many excuses for my career,” said Wilder. “The one who is actually trying to make a legacy out of their career, he’s the only one that’s not complaining. The people who don’t have to get in the ring and endure this suffering are the ones that complaining.”

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Chris Robinnson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com

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