Deontay Wilder: “Wladimir Klitschko has more belts than me, but I got the most important belt in boxing”

Reigning WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder has been having a banner 2015. He won his world title belt in the first month of year against Bermane Stiverne, and followed that up with his first title defense in June. Wilder, now 29 years old, continues his active schedule with his next fight on September 26th, against French heavyweight contender, Johann Duhaupas.

In this interview with ‘The Bronze Bomber’ Deontay Wilder, I get his thoughts on his upcoming title fight and how he feels to be fighting once against in Alabama. Wilder also talks about the possibility of Duhaupas being dangerous, due to his unknown status. Additionally Deontay speaks on a future fight with IBO/WBO/RING/IBF champ, Wladimir Klitschko and gives his prediction for September 26th. Here is what Deontay Wilder had to say.

Jenna J: You will be returning to Alabama for your next fight, can you tell the fans a little bit about the opponent that you’re facing?

Deontay Wilder: Yes it will be right back in Alabama. I’m happy and blessed to be able to come back to my home state again. It’s gonna be a great fight, it’s gonna be a great show. We’re giving the people of the state of Alabama what they want, they want more shows and more entertainment and I’m definitely delivering that for them in the sport industry.

I’ll be fighting a Frenchman, Johann Duhaupas, he’s about 6’5, 240lbs. He’s got decent power, he’s 32-2 with 20 knockouts and I can’t wait. I’m putting my title on the line again, each and every single time I step in the ring now. I have to train even harder because it’s just a different feeling when you’re putting your title on the line and you have challengers that want that. They want to be able to live how you live and have the things that you have, most of all the title — not only a title, but the WBC title.

When you have guys challenging, no matter what their record is, no matter who they fought, all that goes out of the window that night because everybody is gonna bring it, they’re gonna give their all. It’s almost like fighting out of poverty, they’re gonna give their all. I’m looking forward to him, I’m looking forward to putting on a great show and I can’t wait for September the 26th on PBC on NBC.

Jenna J: Do you think this fight brings an element of danger because he is unknown?

Deontay Wilder: Definitely, with the unknown fighters that people aren’t too familiar with, they are the dangerous ones because they have more that they want to prove. They got so much on the line, they want to get their name out a little bit more, they want to get that exposure, and most of all everybody wants to be a heavyweight champion of the world. If you don’t then you’re in the sport for the wrong reasons.

It makes him that more dangerous for sure, but not only him for being unknown, but any fighter that steps in the ring when you’re putting that title on the line, it’s just a different feeling. I got a different feeling when I’m in the ring and I know my title is on the line.

I know if I don’t perform to the best of my abilities or if I’m not training properly and doing all the right things, then someone could very well take this from me. That’s why they say, “you can’t play boxing,” because it’s too dangerous to play around, you always have to train as if you’re the contender. You have to stay hungry and as a champion I’m still hungry, I’m still determined, I’m still motivated. I’m still humble, no one will ever catch me slipping as far as training wise.

I prepare for each and everybody that’s tried to come and take it, and I did say “try” because that is the keyword, they’re gonna try to take it. I’m looking forward to him, I’m looking forward to his size, I’m looking forward to his ability, and most of all to put on a great show for the boxing fans around the world.

Jenna J: People want to see you fight the guy who is regarded as the heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko. How likely do you think that is of happening in 2016?

Deontay Wilder: I think that’s a fight that’s possible to happen in 2016. If I think about that fight, I think about late September of 2016. This is nothing that has been negotiated or something that’s been discussed with no one, that is just when I think about that fight.

I know that fight is definitely going to happen, as long as he keeps winning, and I’ll definitely keep winning. That’s what the world wants to see at the end of the day, everybody wants a Wilder-Klitschko fight and I think when it happens, it’s gonna be the biggest fight in a long time, in boxing.

The heavyweights are the cream of the crop, that’s the ruler of all the divisions, and to have all the titles on the line and have one undisputed champion once and for all, it’s just gonna be wonderful. When I talk about that fight, I can feel it, my blood boils when I think about that fight because I can’t wait for that opportunity.

I think we can definitely agree that everyone wants to see that one because a lot of people want to come around and discredit me for being the champion and saying that Klitschko is the real champion. The only way I look at it is that Wladimir has more belts than me, but I got the most important belt in boxing, and that’s the WBC belt. He may have more belts but I got the important belt, so I’ll let everybody take their opinion furthermore with that. That’s the ultimate fight and it definitely will happen.

Jenna J: What is your official prediction for you fight on September 26th against Johann Duhaupas?

Deontay Wilder: My prediction for my fight on September 26th is just go in there and do my thing. I’m known for the knockouts, so of course I’m going in for a knockout. I want to come out at the end of the night with a knockout in great fashion. I can’t predict what round it is, but I know that he’s gonna get hit but we don’t know when he’s gonna get hit. When he does get hit, it’s good night. That’s what I’m gonna predict.

I’m excited, I have to keep my streak alive. I did the twelve round thing for my title to let people know that I can do that, I can go twelve rounds, I can be a boxer instead of a puncher. I showed I can fight and have stamina, now it’s time to get back to the knockout streak. I started with Molina and I’m gonna move on to Johann.