Wilder injuries could mean extended layoff

Photo: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions

WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder got the win over Chris Arreola, but didn’t come away unscathed. It’s believed that “The Bronze Bomber” suffered a broken right hand and a possible torn bicep, which could keep him out of action for an extended period.“Wilder will be taken to a local hospital tonight, and will be seeing a specialist this week to assess the damage to his right hand and right bicep muscle,” said promoter Lou DiBella.

The champion wasn’t exactly sure when the injuries occurred. “It was early – the third or the fourth round,” said Wilder. “It was from an (awkward) punch. I hurt the hand first, and then the bicep…look at my hand, this thing hurts!”

On fighting for four rounds with primarily one arm, Wilder stated, “If I have one hand or two hands, you can’t deny that I’m the best in the world. I’m going to still give it to you whether I have one hand or two hands. I won’t stop. As a champion it’s my duty to keep going no matter what I’m going through. Pain ain’t nothing to me. I got a high tolerance on pain. When you’re dealing with fights, it’s not over until it’s over. Whoever fights me they have to be ready. They just can’t come in and think they’re going to bully me or think they’re going to out-tough me or think they’re going to out-punch me, because there ain’t no out-bullying, there ain’t no out-toughing, there ain’t no out-punching, because I’m the heavyweight champion of the world. That means a lot to me…it was very satisfying to punish a guy like Chris Arreola. I straight punished him. I didn’t get my knockout like I want, but it was a knockout. I’ll take that on my record. I still advanced to 37-0 with 36 KOs.”