Former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder’s recent arrest in Los Angeles on a charge of possession of a concealed weapon has sent shockwaves through the boxing world.
The 37-year-old was stopped by police during a routine traffic stop in the early hours of the morning, and subsequently released on a $35,000 bond.
Wilder, who is currently in talks for a super-fight with Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia, could now face a felony charge and be fined up to $10,000. News about Nigeria learned that the boxer’s court date has been set for May 23 in Los Angeles.
The arrest has sparked widespread reactions from the boxing community, with many expressing concern over the potential impact on Wilder’s career.
Tyson Fury, who defeated Wilder for the WBC heavyweight title in 2020 and is set to fight Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed gold, expressed his sympathies on social media.
“Whatever’s happened or going on, I hope everything gets sorted out for @BronzeBomber,” Fury wrote on Twitter. “He’s a great ambassador for the sport and a great fighter. I wish him all the best.”
Joshua, who is in talks with Wilder for a highly anticipated super-fight, has yet to comment publicly on the arrest. However, sources close to Joshua have reportedly expressed concern over the potential impact on negotiations.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who is working on the Joshua-Wilder fight, spoke to media outlets following the news of Wilder’s arrest. “Obviously, this is not ideal timing,” Hearn said. “We’re still hopeful that we can make the fight happen, but we’ll have to wait and see how this plays out.”
Meanwhile, Wilder himself has remained relatively tight-lipped about the situation. The boxer took to Twitter to make a cryptic and brief statement, telling his followers: “I’d rather be safe than sorry. The End.”
It remains to be seen how Wilder’s arrest and potential felony charge will affect his upcoming fight negotiations and his career in the long term. For now, the boxing world waits with bated breath for further developments in this ongoing story.
