In a unique and intriguing display of fan engagement, former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder once made a bold promise to his followers on social media. In 2014, Wilder, then a rising prospect in the boxing world, vowed to step into the ring with a lucky fan if his Facebook page reached 5,000 likes.
The unconventional offer sparked widespread interest and attention, with fans eagerly sharing and liking Wilder’s post. In no time, the likes poured in, and the 5,000 mark was reached. True to his word, Wilder followed through on his promise, selecting a courageous fan to face him in an exhibition bout.
“I’d like to thank all my fans for giving me up to 5,000 fans on Facebook,” Wilder said in a video message at the time. “Now, as promised, I’m gonna fight a fan.”
The chosen fan, turned out to be a literal fan. Wilder, who had already racked up an impressive record of 43 wins and 42 knockouts, 3 losses isnot one to be taken lightly. He also has a good sense of humor.
Wilder’s gesture was seen as a refreshing change of pace in the often-cutthroat world of professional boxing. By putting his words into action, Wilder showed appreciation for his growing fan base and demonstrated a willingness to engage with his audience in a unique and exciting way.
“It was a great experience, and I was glad I could give back to my fans,” Wilder said after.
The publicity stunt not only boosted Wilder’s popularity but also helped to humanize the boxer, who has since become a household name in the boxing community.
At the weigh-in for their card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang significantly outweighed former champion Deontay Wilder by 68.2 pounds, coming in at 282.8 pounds compared to Wilder’s 214.6 pounds.
Both, reeling from recent losses to Joseph Parker, are in urgent need of a victory to stay relevant in the heavyweight division, with Zhang ranked No. 6 and Wilder No. 7. Despite the weight disadvantage, Wilder, who stands 6-foot-7 and weighed slightly more than in his last fight, aims to secure a crucial win in this headline event of the Frank Warren-Eddie Hearn 5 vs. 5 tournament.
The winning promoter will earn $3 million, and Wilder, as Matchroom Boxing’s team captain, could earn double points for a victory. Other notable stars include Dmitry Bivol’s WBA light heavyweight title defense and several bouts in the 5 vs. 5 competition featuring Filip Hrgovic, Daniel Dubois, Ray Ford, Nick Ball, Hamzah Sheeran, Austin Williams, Craig Richards, and Willy Hutchinson.
