Introduction
Deontay Wilder is one of the most talked-about heavyweight boxers in modern times. Nicknamed “The Bronze Bomber”, his power and knockout ability have earned him fame — and controversy. Over the years, fans and media alike have tracked every aspect of his life: his fight record, his relationships, his physical condition (including his legs), and the drama surrounding his personal life. This article dives deep into Wilder’s career record, marital status and relationships, losses, the condition of his legs, his rumored “new girlfriend,” and the latest news about his comeback and controversies.
1. Deontay Wilder’s Record
Early life & entry into boxing
Deontay Leshun Wilder was born on October 22, 1985, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He took up boxing relatively late, at age 20. Before turning pro, he had success in the amateur ranks, winning a bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the 2008 Olympics. This medal inspired the nickname “Bronze Bomber” (an homage to Joe Louis, the “Brown Bomber”)
He made his professional debut later in 2008 and steadily built a reputation for having tremendous punching power.
Professional record & statistics
As of mid-2025, Wilder’s professional record stands at:
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Wins: 44
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Losses: 4
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Draws: 1
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Knockouts: 43 of his 44 wins came by knockout (or technical knockout)
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His knockout-to-win ratio is generally cited around 97.7% — the highest in heavyweight boxing history.
Wilder’s fights have often ended early. He is known for explosive finishes, many in the first few rounds. Over his career, his average fight duration is relatively short compared to many heavyweight fights.
Notable fights & title reign
Wilder held the WBC heavyweight title from 2015 until 2020. During his reign, he defended the title successfully multiple times.
Some of his notable fights:
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Wilder vs. Tyson Fury trilogy:
- The first fight ended in a split draw (2018).
- In the 2020 rematch, Wilder lost via TKO and lost his WBC belt.
- The third fight resulted in a knockout loss for Wilder in 2021. -
Wilder vs. Luis Ortiz II (2019) — Wilder defended his WBC title with a 7th-round knockout in Las Vegas.
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Wilder vs. Dominic Breazeale (2019) — Wilder knocked out Breazeale in the first round to defend his title.
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Wilder vs. Robert Helenius (2022) — after a layoff, Wilder returned and knocked out Helenius in the first round.
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Wilder vs. Joseph Parker (2023) — Wilder lost by unanimous decision.
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Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang (2024) — lost by TKO in the 5th round.
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Wilder vs. Tyrrell Herndon (2025) — Wilder returned to win by TKO in the 7th round.
His return fight in 2025 was seen by many as a test of whether he still has what it takes in the heavyweight division at age 39.
2. Wife, Relationships & New Girlfriend
Marital history & ex-relationships
Wilder has had a complex romantic life. He was previously married to Jessica Scales. Their marriage ended in divorce around 2017 after eight years of marriage, amid public allegations of affairs and disputes.
After his divorce, Wilder began a relationship with Telli Swift. He proposed to her in 2018 during a gender reveal party, and they have a child together.
However, their relationship has become troubled in recent years with serious allegations and legal actions.
Legal troubles & restraining order
In June 2024, Telli Swift obtained a temporary restraining order against Wilder. Swift alleged physical and mental abuse over a period of six years, including being thrown out of a residence, being choked multiple times, and abused in front of their daughter.
She claimed Wilder threw her out of their Atlanta home in April 2024, even though she had recently undergone surgery. The restraining order mandates that Wilder stay at least 100 yards away from her and their child until further court proceedings.
Swift also accused him of prior abuse, including choking incidents (five times) and assaulting her and her children.
These allegations have generated considerable media attention and controversy surrounding Wilder’s personal life and reputation.
“New girlfriend” claims
In recent months, rumors and reports have surfaced about Wilder’s new girlfriend. Some tabloid-style sources have named Jessica Scales (his ex-wife) again in relation to a “new love interest.” However, these claims are mostly speculative and lack confirmation from reliable mainstream media sources.
There is no strong evidence that Wilder has officially moved on or that he’s publicly acknowledged a new romantic partner, especially amidst ongoing legal and personal disputes with Swift.
Given the sensitive nature of private lives, caution is advised in treating these rumors as fact until further confirmation emerges.
3. Losses: What Went Wrong
Wilder’s losses have been scrutinized heavily because of his once-dominant knockout streak. Let’s examine each of his four career defeats and what they reveal.
Loss #1: Tyson Fury (2020)
In the rematch with Tyson Fury, Wilder lost his WBC belt by TKO in the 7th round. Fury’s skills, movement, and ability to avoid Wilder’s power became decisive factors in wearing down Wilder.
Loss #2: Tyson Fury (2021)
The third fight in their trilogy ended in a knockout for Wilder in the 11th round. Throughout the match, Fury executed better ring generalship, counterpunching, and defensive adjustments to neutralize Wilder’s power.
Loss #3: Joseph Parker (2023)
Wilder was outboxed by Joseph Parker, losing via unanimous decision. Parker’s technical approach, consistent output, and avoiding Wilder’s signature right hand were key to his victory.
Loss #4: Zhilei Zhang (2024)
This was a brutal defeat: Wilder was knocked out by Zhang in the 5th round via TKO. Zhang’s size, strength, and pressure overwhelmed Wilder, and capitalized on Wilder’s declining output. Many observers speculated that age, ring rust, diminished reflexes, and struggles with conditioning played a role.
Patterns & explanations
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Declining reflexes / age: As Wilder has aged, his reflexes and ability to maintain peak performance may have waned. Against elite or well-prepared opponents, that decline becomes costly.
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Lack of sustained volume: Wilder has always been a power puncher rather than a volume boxer. In fights where opponents can neutralize his power or avoid big shots, Wilder’s lack of consistent punching output becomes a liability.
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Ring rust / layoffs: He’s had periods of inactivity, which can dull timing, sharpness, and conditioning.
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Opponent adjustments: Top-tier opponents have studied Wilder’s style, movement, and worked to avoid his power zone, making him less effective.
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Physical wear & injuries: Over time, the wear from heavy fights and training can slow footwork, stamina, and defensive ability.
While Wilder’s knockout power remains legendary, his losses highlight the vulnerabilities of depending primarily on power rather than a more complete boxing arsenal.
4. Legs & Physical Condition
One recurring topic in discussions about Wilder’s longevity and performance is the condition of his legs — his mobility, stability, injury history, and how “good on his feet” he still is.
Mobility & footwork
Wilder has always relied more on reach, power, and timing than on intricate footwork or high-volume combinations. His legs, in that sense, functioned primarily to set up the right hand. As he ages, maintaining agility, balance, and leg strength is increasingly important but also more challenging.
Reports and analysts have sometimes pointed out that Wilder appears less fluid and slightly sluggish in his movement than he did in his prime. In matches like against Parker and Zhang, he sometimes seemed off-balance when trying to plant for power shots or throw combinations.
However, there’s no clear public record of serious chronic injuries to his legs (e.g. knees, ankles) that are widely confirmed. No major media coverage suggests that limb surgery or debilitating leg injuries have plagued him publicly.
Still, at his size (around 6 ft 7 in, reach ~83 inches maintaining leg strength and stability is paramount — and aging, knockout damage, and long training years can subtly degrade lower-body resilience.
Training & conditioning
To compensate for natural decline, Wilder has focused on strength, conditioning, and leg work in his training regimens. Ahead of his return fights, he’s reportedly invested in home training facilities and upgraded his “boxing temple” to sharpen his conditioning and ring readiness.
Still, whether this is enough to restore his earlier edge is an open question. In his 2025 comeback fight, critics noted that his legs looked a bit less explosive than in his prime — though that may be partly due to the lower caliber of his opponent, ring rust, and long inactivity.
Overall, while there’s no glaring “leg injury” story, the natural decline of power, balance, and lower-body endurance is a factor that likely contributes to his challenges in recent fights.
5. The “New Girlfriend” Narrative
Tabloid and gossip outlets have speculated about Wilder’s romantic life beyond his ongoing disputes with Swift. Some reports claim that Wilder is now dating his ex-wife Jessica Scales again, calling her his “new girlfriend.”
However, these claims are not corroborated by major or credible sport news sources. At this point:
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No mainstream boxing or sports media outlets have confirmed any new romantic relationship.
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No direct statements from Wilder or potential partners confirm these rumors.
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The focus in the media remains heavily on the restraining order case, abuse allegations, and his boxing comeback.
Therefore, it is prudent to treat reports of a “new girlfriend” with caution until credible confirmation emerges.
6. Latest News & Comeback
Return to the ring
After his defeat to Zhilei Zhang in 2024, many wondered if Wilder’s prime was behind him. But in June 2025, he made his comeback against Tyrrell Herndon, winning by TKO in the 7th round.
While the victory reestablished Wilder as active, critics noted that his trademark one-shot power was less dominant, and the pacing was more measured.
Contract & next fights
Wilder has reportedly already signed for a fight in January 2026. Some sources suggest he aims for a world-title rematch or a high-profile clash (e.g. with Anthony Joshua).
Rumors have persisted about potential matchups with Anthony Joshua, Francis Ngannou, or other high-level contenders.
Training infrastructure
Ahead of his return, Wilder built a customized home boxing gym (“King of God’s Army”) to maintain year-round access to training infrastructure. The facility reportedly includes a full ring, various punching bags, LED lighting, and motivational decor.
Controversy & public image
Wilder’s legal and personal controversies, especially the restraining order and domestic violence allegations by his fiancée Telli Swift, continue to cast a shadow over his return and public reputation.
Media coverage sometimes frames his return not just as a boxing comeback, but as a redemption arc in the face of serious personal accusations. Whether the public and boxing world will accept that arc remains uncertain.
Conclusion
Deontay Wilder’s legacy is complex. Once feared for his almost single-punch knockout potency, he now faces the dual challenge of recapturing elite-level form while navigating intense personal scrutiny.
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His record — 44 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw, with 43 KOs — cements him as one of the most powerful punchers in heavyweight history.
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His marital and relationship history includes a divorce from Jessica Scales, a long-term engagement with Telli Swift, and recent legal troubles involving restraining orders and abuse allegations.
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His losses highlight decline, better-prepared opponents, and gaps in his boxing skillset beyond raw power.
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Regarding his legs, while no major injury stories dominate, wear, aging, and mobility constraints are natural concerns for a big man relying on explosive power.
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The “new girlfriend” narratives remain speculative and unverified.
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In recent news, Wilder’s 2025 comeback win, upgraded training setup, and talk of future fights signal his ambition to remain relevant — though his reputation must contend with serious personal allegations.
Whether Wilder can rewrite his story and recapture heavyweight relevance remains to be seen. But his journey continues to command attention — in the ring and out.
