Deontay Wilder is a sore loser, but apparently he also is a horrible winner, according to his former trainer Mark Breland.
Breland, an Olympic gold medalist, was fired from Wilder’s team after multiple accusations from the former heavyweight champion.
After the coach threw in the towel during Wilder vs. Fury II to save Wilder from the same KO he experienced in the trilogy, he was accused of being disloyal. However, Breland has broken his silence.
The Reveal
“The facts are that my time in the coaching position with the Bronze Bomber changed drastically in the 12 years since I started with him,” wrote Breland on his Instagram. “When he turned pro, Jay Deas called me and humbly stated that he needed a trainer for a great prospect that he had at his gym.”
“Boxing goes like this: you walk into my gym, I train you. I found you & sometimes I manage you too. So Jay was seen as the ‘head trainer’ in the media, but I was the only one on the team with a boxing resume & I was the only trainer. That was okay with me because of my humility. I didn’t have to be the one in front of the camera; I’ve lived that life.
“After Deontay became a name in boxing new members did join the team and it got to the point where didn’t/don’t even have my fighter’s phone number. I haven’t spoken to Deontay alone in years. The things that I told Deontay to do had to be ran past Jay.”
Breland believes Wilder became “untrainable” at some point.
“Deontay had become untrainable because he was at the point of he know more about boxing than all of us. So teaching a correct jab was not a priority to learn once he continued on his knockout streak. So a coach can only teach someone if they’re willing to learn.”
The Wilder Way
“We would wait for the champ for hours before he arrived at the gym, and Jay would inform us of his mood. If he had a bad day, we had to ‘be quiet’ to not be on the receiving end of ‘his wrath’, according to Jay, in an effort not to be ‘fired.’
“And yeah, hitting the bag, jumping rope, and running is not high on the list, so if he don’t feel like it he and Jay didn’t seem to understand the importance of those things. So he would make it clear not to ask Deontay twice. If I tried to pull Deontay to the side to tell him what I see, Jay made it clear, ‘don’t say nothing, you don’t want to make him mad.’ I’ve watched this man (Deontay) speak to many people disrespectfully, and although I’m extremely humble & calm, I’m a man first.
“I stayed on the team ’cause I’ve been there from the beginning and I believed with his power and willingness to learn more, he could be a force in the sport. I never thought anything this insane would take place.”
Quotes from Mark Breland about Wilder’s training… pic.twitter.com/iJiE9yCcEC
— donni☝🏼 (@LILPUTlN) October 10, 2021
No More Drama
At some point, Wilder accused Breland of being involved in a conspiracy to dethrone him. He even suggested that Breland spiked his water in the corner during the second Fury fight. Also, that he was faulty while watching the handwrapping process for Fury during their second fight.
“I should not have addressed who had the water because the accusation is so asinine it doesn’t deserve a reply. Anyone who knows a tiny bit about boxing knows we’re tested before and after a fight, so that’s the end of that ludicrous allegation!!
“And then there’s ‘the gloves.’ To that I say that’s the one time I’m glad Jay treated me like I didn’t matter. So he does all the head trainer aspects, the witness for the hand wrapping, the press interviews, everything where a camera is involved, except hand wraps; I’m the one responsible for that. I’m not sure if (Deas) knows, in all those years, I can’t recall seeing him do it.
“Now this chapter of my life/book has come to an end and I won’t be talking about it anymore! To the ones who know me, I don’t need to say anything, and to the ones who don’t, I’m not trying to defend such ridiculous outlandish allegations.
Throwing In The Towel
“Lastly, at that fight just as many others we had NO cutman because Deontay won’t need it. So I’m not a doctor but I know blood coming out of your ears and dazed eyes could be a brain issue. And power comes from your legs and his legs were gone!
“So I MADE A DECISION TO STOP THE FIGHT and I’d do it ALL AGAIN! I have a son Deontay’s age, I’m not looking to see him go out on his shield. I hope we all stay safe. There are so many bigger issues in the world!”
As the world adjusts to the post-Fury win, more details are coming out as to what goes on behind the scenes in the Wilder camp.
