Deontay Wilder broke down in tears as he spoke out on the dangers of boxing following his brutal knockout win over Robert Helenius. Wilder got back to winning ways with a crushing victory in the opening round at the Barclays Center in New York on Saturday night.
Wilder secured the win with a ferocious right hand but his celebrations were tame as he attended the post-fight press conference. Instead, the Bronze Bomber was reduced to tears as he discussed former boxer Prichard Colon, who suffered brain damage in the ring.
Colon – with a 16-0 record including 13 KO wins – faced Terrell Williams in 2015, and it was tragically his final bout due to a combination of poor fight management from officials and Williams’ constant illegal rabbit punches to the back of his head. The American suffered brain bleeding and went into a coma for 221 days, and Colon now recovers at home while being cared for by his mother.
“We’ve seen what happens, look at Colon,” Wilder said, before breaking into tears. “How he got hit, Prichard Colon, correct.
READ MORE: Joshua called out by former sparring partner after devastating KO win
“This man didn’t have no kids… they don’t understand. Y’all don’t f****** understand what we go through, man. And I don’t even know him like that, but I will always be an advocate for us.
“Because this man will never know what it’s like to be somebody’s father. And that’s one of the most precious things in the world, to be somebody’s father. But he will never be nobody’s father, man. Because he got in the ring to support his family but now, his family got to take care of him for the rest of his life.
“He was probably the bread winner in his family and now they’re looking and seeking for help and s*** like that.”
It was a remarkable change of tune from Wilder, who once claimed he wanted a ‘body on his record’. He voiced his concern for Helenius following his brutal knockout of the 38-year-old.
DON’T MISS
Whyte to face unbeaten American heavyweight in next fight
Claressa Shields beats Savannah Marshall in fiery grudge-match
Boxing fans boo and hit out at scorecards as Baumgardner beats Mayer