Wilder on Duhaupas fight: He’s never been knocked out until now

Photo Credit: Heather Durham

BIRMINGHAM, AL (August 21, 2015) – Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (34-0, 33 KOs) hosted a press conference yesterday to formally announce his Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC bout taking place Saturday, September 26 against Johann “Reptile” Duhaupas (32-2, 20 KOs) at Legacy Arena in Birmingham.

Wilder will defend his title for the second time in his home state. Duhaupas, who has never been stopped, hopes to defy the odds and do what no previous opponent has accomplished against Wilder – emerge victorious.

This fight will signify the return of heavyweight world championship boxing in primetime to NBC. This is the first heavyweight title bout in primetime on NBC since May 20, 1985, when another undefeated American heavyweight world champion, Larry Holmes, defended his title against Carl Williams in Reno, Nevada with legendary broadcaster Marv Albert on the call, just as he will be on September 26. Now, Wilder looks to pick up where Holmes left off and deliver world-class heavyweight action right into sports fans’ living rooms.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Bruno Event Team, start at just $25 and are on sale now. For tickets please visit www.alabamatitlefight.com.

Quotes From Thursday’s Press Conference:

DEONTAY WILDER

Photo Credit: Heather Durham

“He’s never been knocked out until now. That’s always the ultimate goal when I’m in there with my opponent, to take them down. That’s how my name has gotten out there, through knockouts, and I want to keep that legacy going.

“It was big for me to knock my last opponent out and now I’m on a knockout spree.

“My hometown fans give me the momentum and the energy to continue to be great at what I do.

“This is a different ballgame when you’re dealing with the heavyweights. Everybody’s coming to get what I have. I like it. I love it actually. I like being the world’s most wanted, in a positive way.

“At the last fight, the energy was electrifying in there. It was so loud. People were so hyped and you could feel the wind from people’s voices traveling around when they shouted my name. And that’s one of the things when you have a fighter fighting at home. You have so much love and support.”

JOHANN DUHAUPAS

“I’m excited to be making my US debut and fighting for a heavyweight world title in the same night. This is the biggest opportunity of my career and I’m going to take advantage of it.

“Deontay is a huge competitor, but I’m coming into this fight prepared to make things very difficult for him.

“I plan on brining the title back home to France.”

JAY DEAS, Wilder’s Trainer

“It’s a day-by-day, brick-by-brick existence to be a world champion.

“It’s going to be a tough fight. He’s never been stopped before. He’s coming off the biggest win of his career against Manuel Charr. This is a huge, huge fight and it’s going to be right here in Birmingham.

“This is my challenge straight to the fans: This is where we want to be. We want to be in Alabama. We want Deontay to have his home turf in Alabama. We want to show the world what Alabama can do on international TV. We want to show them the young undercard guys coming up, and we want it all right here. That can only happen if this place is full.”

MAYOR WILLIAM BELL, Mayor of the City of Birmingham

“People from all over the country are already calling for hotel rooms. Can they get in early? This is exciting for our city.

“People were talking about the first fight, and not just around the country. They were talking about it around the world.”

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PBC on NBC returns with a 12-round heavyweight world title clash between Deontay Wilder and Johann Duhaupas. In the evening’s co-main event, undefeated star Omar Figueroa takes on former world champion Antonio DeMarco in 12-rounds of super lightweight action. The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Bruno Event Team. The telecast begins at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT live from Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.