Deontay Wilder opens up on brother’s murder for first time
Deontay Wilder has opened up on the heartbreaking death of his brother for the first time ever.
The 40-year-old former heavyweight world champion grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, along with his siblings – which include three sisters and a brother Marsellos. His brother was also a boxer, but ended up hanging up the gloves after losing three of his eight outings in the ring.
Wilder was in good company growing up, spending as much precious time with his siblings as possible, but many never knew he, in fact, grew up with another brother. For the first time, in a tell-all interview, the ‘Bronze Bomber’ rather candidly discussed the death of one of his brothers – due to gang violence.
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The Alabama gang scene unfortunately swallowed up the hard-hitting heavyweight’s brother – who was made to deal with a rather traumatic experience early on in his youthful days. In an interview with the Mail, he said: “I still think about my brother to this day.
“My brother was very intelligent. He was very crafty and unique with his words. But he was always in trouble. He was always in jail. He was in a gang as well, and that’s how he lost his life. Someone hit him in the back of the head, and he died instantly.” No parent should ever have to bury their child, but while the scars still have a lingering effect on Wilder, he was left questioning his brother’s choices.
“I still remember the moment I was told he had died. That sort of thing doesn’t leave you. I hurt so much inside, but I didn’t shed a tear. I wasn’t going to let anything set me off track from what I wanted to achieve. That was the path he chose. He told me he was the black sheep of the family but I still I don’t know why he made the decisions and choices he did.
“That said, we all have our own path in life and we have to make our own decisions. Sometimes, when you’re choosing the wrong path, you have to step up and accept whatever consequences come with it. And that’s one thing he did – he accepted it and dealt with it. Even though it cost him his life, he lived the way he wanted. So, I had to accept it too and move on.’
