Boxer and WBC heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder had strong words for Floyd Mayweather.
During an interview with Sports’ Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, The “Bronze Bomber,” ripped Mayweather as self-absorbed and threatened by younger, up and coming boxers. (RELATED: Floyd Mayweather Showers Conor McGregor In Praise For Upcoming Fight [Video])
.@BronzeBomber with some strong words for @FloydMayweather (via @SInowLIVE) pic.twitter.com/mpQOt29WL1
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) December 11, 2018
“He can’t do anything without mentioning himself”, Wilder told Mannix. “He wants to be the center of attention.”
Wilder praised fighters that Mayweather has trained but accused Mayweather of holding his fighters back.
“[There are] certain things I don’t understand when dealing with him,” Wilder said. “He has tremendous fighters in his stable. When guys get to a certain stage, that’s it. They only get to a certain stage because he don’t let them progress and grow.”
I’m coming back to fight Manny Pacquiao this year. Another 9 figure pay day on the way @mayweatherpromotions pic.twitter.com/LxyNX7mWrw
— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) September 17, 2018
Mayweather is widely known as a relentless self-promoter and a controversial figure for both his fighting style in the ring and his domestic violence convictions outside of it. Here, Wilder is echoing the thoughts that many of Mayweather’s fellow fighters have about him.
Wilder and Mayweather might be the two most recognizable boxers on the planet right now. Could this be the start of a feud between the two?