monday, August 25, 2008 |
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THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS
ideontay wilder’s olympic odysseyi
The road to glory Deontay Wilder began his Olympic odyssey on Oct. 19, 2005, when he laced up a pair of boxing gloves for the first time. Since then it’s been one wild ride for Wilder.
From top: n Deontay Wilder (white trunks) defeats Isiah Thomas at the Golden Gloves National Tournament of Champions on May 4, 2007, to advance to the final. n Wilder celebrates winning the Golden Gloves tournament by hoisting the heavyweight title belt. n Wilder takes a break from his Olympic training in Colorado Springs, Colo., to pose for a photo two weeks before leaving for Beijing. n Wilder signs Harvey Davis’ arm at a reception for him on March 25 in Tuscaloosa. n Wilder during the title fight, which he won, in the U.S. Championships on June 8, 2007, in Colorado Springs, Colo.
From top: n Deontay Wilder holds his then 2-year-old daughter Naieya on April 19, 2007, after taking a break from training for the Golden Gloves National Tournament. Wilder’s daughter was born with spina bifada. n Wilder hits the heavy bag at Skyy Boxing in Northport in April of 2007. n Wilder speaks at New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Northport on Sunday, May 27, 2007. Wilder spoke about his childhood and winning the Golden Gloves championship. n Wilder in Colorado Springs, Colo., two weeks before leaving for Beijing. n Wilder poses for a photo with former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield in Colorado Springs, Colo., while training for the Olympics.
the associated press
Deontay Wilder celebrates after his first-round victory over Abdelaziz Touilbini of Algeria on Aug. 13 in Beijing.
staff, contributed photos
staff, contributed photos
fROM BEGINNER TO BEIJING
Jan. 2006 | Wilder has first amateur bout. Wins in 17 seconds.
April 2006 | After Wilder wins his third bout in a row by first-round knockout. Golden Gloves officials inform Wilder’s coach Jay Deas that Wilder must move to the open division to face more experienced boxers. None of the other novice boxers will fight him.
April 2007 | Wins Southeastern regional title.
April 2007 | Wins Southern Golden Gloves title.
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June 2007 | Wins the U.S. Men’s National Championship in Colorado Springs, Colo. Tops California’s James Zimmerman in the title match. Wilder wins the championship with less experience than anyone in tournament history.
August 2008 | Loses to Italy’s Clemente Russo in Olympic semifinal round. Takes home the bronze medal.
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2008
August 2008 | Wins close quarterfinal bout with Mohammed Arjaoui to reach to heavyweight semifinals.
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August 2008 | Wins opening bout in Beijing Olympics over Algeria’s Abdelaziz Toulbini; advances to quarterfinals.
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2007
August 2007 | Wins the U.S. Olympic Trials Tournament in Houston to become a member of the United States Olympic boxing team. Beats (in order) Pennsylvania’s Anthony Tettis, U.S. Army’s Joe Guzman and New Orleans’ Quantis Graves (twice) to secure the title. Wilder joins the Olympic team with less experience than any of his teammates.
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May 2007 | Wins four bouts to claim the National Golden Gloves title in Chattanooga, Tenn. He beats New York’s David Thompson in the championship bout. Wilder wins the national title with less experience than anyone in Golden Gloves history.
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2005
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March 2007 | Wins his second Alabama Golden Gloves title.
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March 2006 | Wins his first Alabama Golden Gloves title.
Oct. 19, 2005 | Deontay Wilder walks into Skyy Boxing Gym in Northport, three days before his 20th birthday, to learn to box.
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March 2008 | Gets the silver medal and qualifies for the Beijing Olympics by winning three of four bouts at the Americas qualifier tournament in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Wilder is the only U.S. Olympic boxer over 165 pounds to qualify for the Beijing Games. He came from behind in each match to beat opponents from Columbia, Equador and Brazil, while losing in the gold medal match to Cuba.