Deontay Wilder is one of the best boxers of our time. He has earned the reputation of a knockout maestro by winning 41 of his 45 fights with a KO. The American pro boxer held the WBC heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020 – making ten successful defenses.
As of October 2021, The Bronze Bomber is ranked as the world’s third-best active heavyweight by ESPN, fourth by The Ring magazine, and fifth by BoxRec and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.
All of that is impressive, but what’s Bronze Bomber all about, you ask?
The Deontay Wilder Story
Deontay Wilder comes from a family of preachers. He graduated from high school in 2004 and wanted to play football or basketball for his hometown, but destiny had other plans for him. The birth of his oldest daughter and poor grades caused Deontay to attend community college and give up on his dream of playing for his home team.
Unlike most other A-list boxers, Deontay had a late start to boxing. He stepped inside the ring for the first time when he was 20-years-old.
As an amateur, he won a bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the 2008 Olympics, hence leading to the nickname “The Bronze Bomber.”
Wilder is known for his extraordinary punching power, having knocked out every opponent he has defeated after turning pro.
He is a three-time winner of the Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year award (2016, 2017, 2019) and a winner of the Ring magazine Knockout of the Year award (2019).
Deontay Wilder Stats
| Full Name: Deontay Leshun Wilder | ||
| Nickname | Weight | Height |
| The Bronze Bomber | 238lbs (108kg) | 6’7″ (200cm) |
| Age | Date of Birth | Birthplace |
| 36 years | 22 October 1985 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S. |
| Total Fight: 45 | ||
| Wins | Losses | Draws |
| 42 | 2 | 1 |
Deontay Wilder Pro Career
Wilder made his pro debut in 2008 at the age of 23 against Ethan Cox. He knocked out his first pro opponent in the second round. By 2012, Wilder racked up a 25-fight win streak, winning all by knockout and all within four rounds.
Deontay Wilder won his first pro boxing title 14 years after making his debut. His devastating knockout power has been one of his biggest allies.
A boxer can be losing on all scorecards coming into the last round, only to nail a perfect hook on his opponent’s chin to win the bout. Wilder’s power has saved him (almost) on several occasions, including his three-match rivalry with Tyson Fury.
Related: Deontay Wilder Retains WBC Title By Split Draw With Tyson Fury (Highlights)
Deontay Wilder was being outboxed by Fury for the majority of their first fight, but he managed to end the match in a draw by scoring 9th and 12th round knockdowns.
He is regarded as one of the hardest hitters in the sport today with a 98% knockout-to-win percentage; he has knocked out 41 opponents in the 42 bouts that he has won, with 20 of those knockouts coming in the first round.
Also Read: Tyson Fury Diet and Workout Program
Deontay Wilder Diet Plan
Wilder consumes anywhere between 6,000-8,000 calories every day depending on his fight schedule. Yes, the amount of calories is insane, but the 6’7″ 238 lb war machine handles it like it is no one’s business.
The Bronze Bomber’s diet is nothing typical. The former WBC heavyweight champ is blessed with insane genetics and an uber-fast metabolism. They allow him to feast on pancakes, sausages, eggs, all at the same time without a worry in the world.
Check Out: TDEE Calculator: Calculate Your Total Daily Energy Expenditure
Deontay Wilder Nutrition Program
While prepping for a fight, Wilder can eat up to six meals a day. Here is Deontay Wilder’s regular diet:
Meal 1: Breakfast (8 am)
- Pancakes – This is probably the only diet program that recommends eating pancakes for breakfast. Hold tight, we are just getting started.
- Sausage – The Bronze Bomber’s diet is protein-heavy. He switches between Polish sausage or traditional sausage patties for breakfast.
- Eggs – Eggs are a staple in most fitness diet programs. But Deontay being Deontay likes bringing egg McMuffins into rotation regularly.
- Protein shake – Research shows that a high protein breakfast can benefit muscle health and support weight loss by increasing muscle mass, energy expenditure, satiety hormones, glucose regulation, and decreasing the desire to snack at night.
Related: Protein Calculator: Find Your Daily Protein Intake
Meal 2: Lunch #1 (11:30 am)
- Alfredo chicken pasta – By the end of Wilder’s diet plan and you might end up firing your dietitian.
- Corn on the cob – Go the Bronze Bomber way and bathe it in butter.
- Garlic bread – Deontay looks like he does after eating garlic bread for lunch. Did you fire your dietician yet?
- Protein shake – Protein shakes help with building muscle and fastening up the recovery process.
Meal 3: Lunch #2 (2 pm)
- Sandwich – You would be kidding yourself if you thought a guy Wilder’s size could do with just one lunch a day. Of course, he needs two lunches.
- Two boiled eggs – Do not throw the yolks away. This isn’t one of those egg white preaching diet plans.
Meal 4: Dinner #1 (5 pm)
- Salisbury steak – If Deontay’s nutrition plan does not make you want to “diet”, nothing ever will.
- Potatoes and yams – Wilder enjoys red potatoes, mashed potatoes, and yams, sometimes all within a single meal.
- Green beans – Wilder could be eating green veggies just so they do not feel left out.
Meal 5: Dinner #2 (7:30 pm)
- T-Bone steak – Deontay Wilder is picky when it comes to his steak.
- Red potatoes – The Bronze Bomber needs a ton of carbs to get through the day. Red potatoes are delicious and filled to the brim with carbs.
- Squash – It’s similar to yams, and Wilder loves yams.
- Green beans – Ensuring that veggies do not feel left out.
When asked about his diet, Wilder said, “They just feed me the food, I just eat it! My stomach sometimes can be so fat that I have to rub it for hours. I’m not a big eater!”
Deontay Wilder Workout Program
Deontay Wilder’s training consists of a unique blend of resistance and weight training, traditional boxing routines, and water training. Wilder’s trainer, Peter Khoury, ensures that he leaves no stones unturned in getting the Bronze Bomber ready for a showdown.
For his training, Wilder focuses primarily on sparring and mitt work. Contrary to what most people might expect, he barely does any heavy weightlifting or speed exercises.
“Heavy lifting results in too much shoulder development, too much strength and size, what’s happening is, you’re pushing the punches, as opposed to snapping your punches.”
Must Watch: Deontay Wilder Post Bench Press PR Video With HORRIBLE Form
Deontay Wilder Training Routine
The Bronze Bomber follows a four-day training regimen. Before each workout day, Wilder does a dynamic warmup consisting of stretching and movement drills.
Monday: Agility and Abs
1. Cone Agility Drill: 2 sets of 3 reps (one revolution around the cones is one rep)
Set up two cones three feet apart and move laterally around the cones in a circle. Focus on lateral movement and stability while changing directions.
2. Form Run Drill: 3 sets of 1-minute
On the first set, do foot over ankle movement; for the second set, do foot to shin; and on the third set, do foot over the knee.
3. Cool Down/Ab Finisher Circuit: Perform a total of 200 reps
Tuesday: Pool Intervals
1. Left Leg Bound: 1 set of 4 laps (1 lap = once across the pool)
2. Right Leg Bound: 1 set of 4 laps
3. Double Leg Bound: 1 set of 4 laps (alternate bounds between left and right)
4. Split Jump: 1 set of 4 laps
5. Squat Turn: 1 set of 4 laps
6. Wall Leg Kick: 6 sets of 3 minutes
7. Cool Down: 6-lap swim
“I love the water because it builds all your muscles in your body,” Wilder claimed. “I can’t even tell you the name of the muscles, that’s for sure, but I feel it.”
Wednesday: Rest Day
Deontay Wilder might not hit the weight room on rest days, but he is in the boxing gym every day, perfecting his craft. If you are not a boxer, go hiking, running, or swimming.
Thursday: Hops and Weights
1. Rudiment Hops: Set up cones at a comfortable length apart to use for each set.
(a) Single Leg Hop: 2 sets of 2 reps (each rep should be back and forth)
(b) Double Leg Hop: 2 sets of 2 reps
(c) Forward Hop: 2 sets of 2 reps
(d) Sideways Hop: 2 sets of 2 reps
2. Cone Agility Drill (same from Monday workout): 2 sets of 3 reps around the cones
3. Weight Training:
(a) Deep Back Squat: 4 sets of 8 reps
(b) Dumbbell Reverse Lunge (45 lbs): 4 sets of 10 reps
(c) Deadlift (225 lbs): 4 sets of 8 reps
(d) Leg Extension: 4 sets of 12 reps
(e) Dumbbell Single-Leg Calf Raise (45 lbs): 4 sets of 10 reps
(f) Single-Leg Leg Press: 4 sets of 10 reps (each side)
(g) Single-Leg Hip Extension: 4 sets of 10 reps
Although brute strength can be a blessing inside the ring, boxing is not about building ginormous muscles. Wilder uses his workouts to improve his explosiveness, agility, balance, and coordination.
Friday: Plyometrics and Weights
1. Sand Pit Plyometric Moves: Although Deontay Wilder does these on the sand, you could perform them on a mat in the gym.
(a) Squat Jump: 4 sets of 30-seconds
(b) Single-Leg Knee Tuck Hop: 4 sets of 30-seconds (each side)
(c) Squat Jump: 4 sets of 30-seconds
(d) Jumping Lunge: 4 sets of 30-seconds (each side)
(e) Pause Squat: 4 sets of 30-seconds
(f) Leg Hop: 4 sets of 30-seconds (each side)
(g) High Knee: 4 sets of 30-seconds
2. Weights:
(a) Clean Pull: 4 sets of 8 reps
(b) Lunge Position Dumbbell Shoulder Press (35lbs): 4 sets of 8 reps
(c) Dumbbell One-Arm Row (50lbs): 3 sets of 8 reps
(d) Dumbbell Bent Over Row (15lbs): 3 sets of 8 reps
(e) Dumbbell Incline Press (50lbs): 4 sets of 8 reps
(f) Dumbbell Arm Curl (30lbs): 4 sets of 8 reps (per side)
(g) Dumbbell Front Lateral Raise (15lbs): 3 sets of 8 reps
Saturday: Active Rest and Boxing Work
When not practicing in the pool, Wilder heads to the gym for a light boxing workout, which consists of hitting mitts and sparring. “You all have seen it,” he said. “I’ll come in here and just hit the mitts and spar. That’s it; no running, no conditioning and stuff, no heavy bag, no speed bag, no jump rope, no nothing!”
Sunday: Rest Day or Optional Training
Deontay’s water-based activities are not limited to the pool. On his rest days, Wilder often goes kayaking toward an island near his house, taking full advantage of any wind resistance.
On top of that, it is reported that when Wilder is partying near a lake, he’ll have friends throw beer cans into the water and then swim out to retrieve them. He is even known to hang off the back of motorboats and then pull himself aboard as the boat picks up speed.
Not the kind of rest day you were hoping for, eh?
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Conclusion
Deontay Wilder probably has the most unique training and diet program. But given his track record, it would be safe to say that whatever he is doing has been working for him.
While Wilder’s training program could help you build his trademark knockout strength, we would not recommend following his diet plan as it is unless you are his biological twin.
