In 2005 Deontay Wilder was not too different from most of the guys in my hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama - graduated from Central High School, had a girlfriend, had a steady job delivering beer for Greene Beverage. But in 2005 things started changing for him. That's when his daughter Naieya was born with spina bifida, a condition in which the spinal cord doesn't form properly while the baby is in utero. Before Naieya was born her doctors told Deontay that her condition was severe and that this baby was going to require a lot of surgeries and treatments if she was ever going to learn to walk. And naturally that meant Deontay was going to have to come up with a lot of money to pay for all the surgeries and treatments, and he knew that was going to be tough in his current job so he started searching for ways to earn a lot of money fast. One day when he was making a delivery to a local restaurant he saw Jay Deas' Skyy Boxing gym across the parking lot. He walked over to check it out, heard the sound of gloves hitting punching bags and said something inside him stirred. It was the first time he'd ever set foot in a boxing gym.
Okay, flash forward three years and Deontay is AT THE OLYMPICS!!! Can you believe that? In 2005 he strapped on a pair of boxing gloves for the very first time and now in 2008 he might very well win a gold medal in men's heavyweight boxing. I can't imagine the dedication and passion that has fueled his rapid ascent. I don't even know him but he's my latest hometown hero.
Deontay and Evander Holyfield
Deontay has his first fight tomorrow, August 13, so if you're watching TV or if you're lucky enough to be there, please cheer extra loud for him. I want him to win for his own sake and for the sake of his daughter.
If you want to give him personal props you can leave a comment on his blog, "Determined not Destined".
Go Deontay!!!
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you changed your blog name again! crack me up.
GO DEONTAY!!! What an amazing story; I will definitely tell Beijing Time (that's what I'm calling Dave these days) to watch!!! that is amazing, thanks for letting us know.
Posted by christin on August 13, 2008 at 02:52 AM CST #
Very inspiring story! The human mind amazes me no end with the depths it can plunge to and the heights it can reach. He has already won like the Papua New Guinea swimmer who came last in Sydney'2000 !
Posted by Maddy on August 13, 2008 at 04:46 AM CST #
I was deeply touched! Thanks for sharing this for us.
I found official news about Deontay:
http://www.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/boxing/n214470278.shtml
Jia you, Deontay!
Btw, I wish your mom and Amanda has a wonderful time in Beijing; and please gives my regards to them :)
Posted by Kelly on August 18, 2008 at 03:30 PM CST #
Thanks everyone for sending good thoughts Deontay's way. It's working - he's got the bronze medal already and just might upgrade to silver or gold!
Posted by melanie gao on August 18, 2008 at 10:08 PM CST #
I LUV YO BOXING MOVES.
Posted by KERRIYIA on February 11, 2009 at 12:13 AM CST #
Um, Deontay, I'm pretty sure she's talking to you. :)
Posted by Melanie Gao on February 11, 2009 at 05:01 PM CST #