Deontay Wilder Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Deontay Wilder’s net worth and career earnings?

An American heavyweight boxer, Deontay Wilder boasts a net worth of $30 million. In 2015, he secured the WBC heavyweight title, which he successfully defended for several years. His achievement ended a nine-year period without an American heavyweight champion, marking the longest stretch in history without one.

Some of Deontay’s significant paydays include $2 million from his initial fight with Luis Ortiz, $10 million for the first bout against Tyson Fury, $10 million earned for fighting Dominic Breazeale, $20 million from the rematch with Luis Ortiz, and $28 million for the rematch against Tyson Fury. With career earnings exceeding $70 million following the Fury rematch in February 2020, Deontay earned $45 million during the period from June 2019 to June 2020.

Early Life

Born on October 22, 1985, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Deontay Wilder graduated from Tuscaloosa Central High School in 2004. While in high school, he aspired to play football or basketball for The University of Alabama. After welcoming a daughter with his then-girlfriend, Helen Duncan, in 2005, whose health complications made it difficult for him to attend university, he opted for Shelton State Community College to remain near his daughter. This choice meant sacrificing his dreams of competing in Division 1 college sports, leading him into a deep depression and thoughts of suicide:

“You don’t think about what effect it would cause for your family, your daughter, your kids and so forth and so on… In that state of mind, you just become selfish. You think of the inner pain and the outer pain that you’re feeling right at that very moment in time.“

Emerging from his depression, Deontay decided to direct his energy towards boxing, starting his training at the age of 20. Just two years later, he burst onto the boxing scene, winning the National Golden Gloves and the US Championships, eventually claiming a Bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His amateur record stands at approximately 30 – 5.

Professional Career

Deontay Wilder turned professional in November 2008 at 23 years old, winning his debut fight by TKO. The following year, he fought nine times, securing victories in each match within the first round. From 2009 to 2012, he achieved an impressive 25-fight winning streak, winning all by the fourth round.

The first major professional fight for Deontay took place on December 15, 2012, against Kelvin Price, who was undefeated at 13 – 0. Deontay earned a knockout victory in that bout.

His winning streak continued from 2013 until late 2018, featuring significant wins against fighters such as Audley Harrison, Jason Gavern, and Chris Arreola, among others.

On November 4, 2017, Deontay secured a victory against Bermane Stiverne.

In a knockout during the first round, Deontay Wilder secured his title by defeating Luis Ortiz on March 3, 2018, in the 10th round. For this match, he received a career-high guarantee of $2 million.

First Tyson Fury Fight

With a record of 40 – 0, Deontay Wilder was set to face British/Irish heavyweight Tyson Fury. Three years prior, Fury had shocked the world by defeating Wladimir Klitschko. This victory was expected to lead Fury to a lucrative rematch, but he unfortunately spiraled into a two-year battle with drugs and alcohol, which resulted in him gaining over 100 pounds and being deemed medically unfit to compete.

On December 1, 2018, Tyson and Deontay finally faced each other in Las Vegas. Over 325,000 viewers paid to watch the bout via Pay Per View. Tyson secured a guarantee of $3 million, while Deontay was guaranteed $4 million. After 12 rounds, fans were stunned when the match was declared a DRAW. Both fighters ended up with paydays exceeding $10 million each.

On May 18, 2019, Deontay Wilder achieved a first-round knockout against Dominic Breazeale. His earnings from the fight, including purse and PPV revenue, are expected to surpass $10 million.

On November 23, 2019, Deontay faced Luis Ortiz once more, securing a $3 million base and a $20 million guarantee for the rematch.

Second Tyson Fury Fight

A rematch with Tyson Fury was confirmed for 2020. As the date neared, it became known that both fighters would be guaranteed $28 million along with a 50/50 split of pay-per-view earnings. The fight occurred on February 22, 2020, where Tyson Fury emerged victorious via TKO in the seventh round.

Personal Life

Deontay Wilder is a father to eight children, including two daughters and a son with his ex-wife Jessica Scales-Wilder. Currently, he is engaged to Telli Swift, a television personality noted for her appearance on “WAGS Atlanta.” He also has a younger brother, Marsellos, who is a professional boxer.