WBC heavyweight champion Deontey Wilder noted the lack of attention to his person by American media, which, in his opinion, is related to the color of his skin. According to Wilder, if he were not black, he would be given more attention on television and in the press.
“The problem with America is we got media downing American fighters, we got analysts and so-called experts downing American fighters, you got former champions that have made their mark in the sport but don’t want to see their legacy passed down to American fighters.
“I never understand that, especially as a champion. You should want somebody to come and pass you. You should want someone to keep the sport alive and build it up. Even the champions don’t want their legacy passed because they don’t want to be forgotten, but if you did it right the first time you’ll never be forgotten. Casual fans come into boxing and listen to the so-called experts downing our fighters but praise the foreigners. We adopt the foreigners but down our own. That’s a huge problem. In other countries, they praise their fighters.
“A lot of people don’t want to pull the race card but let’s be real: I’m a realist, I’m a woke realist, I’m not brainwashed at all. I see what’s going on. If I was any other ethnicity, any type of person that’s not a black man, it would be different. If I was any other color but black, it would be different.”
