I EVEN SCARE MYSELF
DEONTAY WILDER admits even he is afraid of the transformation into his ‘Bronze Bomber’ alter ego.
The WBC heavyweight world champion will switch from affable giant to stone-cold killer as he prepares to defend his title against Tyson Fury next Saturday.
And the 6ft 7in wrecking machine fears the ferocity of his own fists as he sets his sights on making the Brit his 40th KO victim.
Wilder said: “When my mind transforms it is a scary feeling because it is a source of power that takes over. If I say I want to kill a man, people have a problem with it, but it’s not the first time that has been said and it won’t be the last and it definitely isn’t the worst thing that has been said.
“People have a problem because I possess the power to do it. When I have a feeling come over me, I don’t know the extent of my own power – it’s unexplainable.
“I am already transforming now and on the week of the fight it just takes hold, especially the day of the fight.
“I’m no longer myself, nothing is funny, everything is serious, my fiancee would say I’m on my man period, which could be so. Everything irritates me, I don’t have an appetite and when it is time to fight, I’m no longer myself. That’s why I can unleash the energy.
“The ring is a place where you can release everything you have been going through. There is good and bad – sometimes releasing it doesn’t have to be negative, it can be positive too.
“I’ve got a blessed life with my family and my children so I can release the happiness and joy that I have. You are not going to take what we eat, this is my opportunity, this is my moment, my karma.”
Wilder slips on a mask (above) for his ring walk as part of his dramatic transformation – and he will show off a new design against
Fury in LA.
The mask features a crown to represent the American’s assumed place at the top of the heavyweight division and Wilder added: “Putting the mask on is like a blocker, I zone in.
“Most definitely it’s a strange feeling. The mask is everything for me, but I’m changing it up, I’ve got a new custom one.
“I feel like I’m the king of the division, I’m at the peak of my division. I’m here and willing to test my skills against any man in the world. I know what I’m capable of doing, I know how I feel, I’m just gifted in this sport. I’m blessed – like my grandmother used to say, I was anointed.
“That’s my main goal, I want to put my skills up for anyone to see if this is real. What we’ve been thinking, what I’ve been saying, is this s*** real? So far, so good. I know it and I believe it, but I’ve also got to prove it.”