Deontay Wilder may be closing in on 40, but the former heavyweight champion insists he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
With 42 wins in his first 43 fights and a run of 10 successful title defenses, Wilder built his name on devastating knockouts. Even after dropping four of his last six bouts, he’s not backing away from big opportunities—or big names.
One name that keeps coming up is Jake Paul. The YouTube star turned boxer has made a career out of high-profile matchups, from Anderson Silva to Mike Tyson, and is now preparing for an exhibition against Gervonta “Tank” Davis this November. If Paul makes it through that, Wilder says he’d be ready to meet him in the ring.
“It’s been lingering around, the discussions,” Wilder told Fox News Digital. “We haven’t gotten anything on the desk or anything like that. It’s just rumors at the moment, but if it came across the desk, I’m definitely down. If it came across, I’d definitely accept it. I know a lot of the fans would love to see it.”
Wilder even tossed out a location idea—Hawaii—joking that he’d want On Location, the company he’s currently partnered with, to help create the ultimate fight-week experience.
He’ll already be working with them at next month’s Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford showdown in Las Vegas, meeting fans and hosting VIP experiences.
For Wilder, the idea of facing Paul isn’t just about spectacle. It’s also about stepping into a new chapter of his career. He started boxing to pay for his daughter’s medical needs after she was born with spina bifida, and for years, he says his drive came from taking care of others.
Now, as he approaches 40, he admits his mindset has shifted.
“I’ve been selfless for a very long time,” he said. “At this point in my life, I deserve to be selfish. I spared my youth being selfless from the age of 12 and up. I’m about to be 40, and now I got to be selfish. I’m about to have a little fun.”