"Is This The Way To Tuscaloosa?"
By Gary Todd
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 03 Feb 2020
Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury II
With only a few weeks to go until the highly anticipated rematch fight between Tyson fury and the WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder, I decided to pack my bag and head off on a quest to track down Wilder in his home town of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. My goal was to go and meet Deontay Wilder in his gym and spend as much time as possible with the heavyweight champion of the world.
Wilder’s story is one of hope, perseverance, and a man’s love for his family.
Although Deontay Wilder tried a few different sports and had excelled in all of them, he was never going to get the chance of getting a college degree or a football, or basketball scholarship but what he did have was his own kind of PHD, which was Poor, Hungry, and Driven, and this was what made him choose boxing. In 2005, he walked under that roller door at the Skyy boxing gym where he met Jay Deas, and after a few months of watching and coaching the tall athletic Wilder, Deas saw something in him. His drive, his willingness to learn and his own work ethic, gave Deas a lot to be happy about. After only a short time in the amateurs, Wilder would go on to represent his country in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, winning a bronze medal in the heavyweight division. As they say, winning a medal is great but you can’t eat it and it doesn’t pay your bills. Wilder was on a mission to make money. He had to get money as quickly as possible to provide and pay for expensive medical bills for his daughter, who was diagnosed with spina bifida, and he felt that his own ability and the gift he possessed would get him the money he needed so badly.
Wilder turned professional and had his first paid fight in the November of that same year. Since that day, Deas and Wilder have gone on a journey together, with Wilder dominating the heavyweight division, knocking every opponent out in spectacular fashion, and winning the WBC heavyweight crown, thus giving his family financial security and giving his daughter the best medical treatment money can buy. As a family man myself, Wilder’s story touched me, as being such an inspirational story and I wanted to meet the man behind the story.
When I boarded the plane in Sydney, Australia, I was filled with a mixed emotion of nervous excitement, and as I looked out the window, I thought to myself, “what the hell am I doing..“
I had done this before when I was doing research for my books on world champions, “Workouts From Boxing’s Greatest Champs” but this time was different. This time I was going in blind, half cooked, and with no idea where I was going, or no one to contact when I got there. I was on my own. It was a journey into the unknown.
After 32 hours, which included 3 plane journeys and a 90 minute taxi ride to my hotel, I had reached Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The home of Deontay Wilder.
I checked into my digs but can’t remember doing so. I showered and closed the curtains and crashed out on the bed until the next morning.
The next morning, I was up and out, armed with a plan and an open mind to explore Tuscaloosa and track down Wilder’s gym.
Alabama's 92,138 capacity Bryant-Denny Stadium.
I thought I would get my bearings by going for a walk along University Boulevard which was where the college campus was. To say this town is a football town is a big understatement. Tuscaloosa is home to the most successful college football teams in the United States, and for me it was hard to comprehend just how popular college football was, until I saw the University of Alabama’s stadium, the “Bryant Denny Stadium” with a 92,138 capacity and every home game has been sold out since 1988. I wondered why Wilder wasn’t steered into football, as he was built like a line backer. I hoped I would get the chance to ask him that and more. I walked back to my hotel to check my map and I then set off for Wilder’s gym which was located in an area called Northport. Funny thing about Tuscaloosa, there were no taxi’s so I had no choice but to walk. I had my gym bag as I planned on doing a bit of training when I found the gym. I also took a few presents with me for the kids in the gym. I had the address so off I went, asking directions at every corner. I crossed a long road bridge, took a left, and walked under an old railway bridge that looked like something out of a Huckleberry Finn movie. As I walked, I tried to imagine what this area would have looked like, hundreds of years ago. Choctaw Indians running around, hunting, fishing, and living off this land, and later, black Americans working in the fields, picking cotton.
I took a left up this long dirt track which was actually called 30th avenue, and I kept walking until I saw a young kid on his bike, and I asked him if he knew where the “New Era Boxing Gym“ was. He said nothing and pointed. I kept going and turned down towards a huge industrial tin shed. The sheds were all numbered and I was looking for a number 9. I kept walking until I came to the end, and I saw a sign above the roller door saying “Parking reserved for Mr. Wilder. Do not park here.” I had made it. Only problem was, other than a few wild cats wandering about, no one was there. It was cold and the sun was going down so I decided to walk back quick smart.
The next morning, I walked back and forth to the gym 4 times throughout the day, but again, there was no sign of life, other than the cats. The lady in the hotel must have been wondering what I was doing, coming and going so many times, so I decided to tell her why I was here. She told me she went to school with Deontay and asked me if I could get his autograph for her. After explaining to her what I was trying to do, we discussed the lack of taxi’s here, and she told me that walking along that road probably wasn’t a good idea as it was close to the projects on the other side and that it could be dangerous.
Through the years on my travels to the gyms, I had been in a couple of tight spots, and on one occasion, I found myself being surrounded by a bunch of enthusiastic gang members, with an even more enthusiastic individual, pressing a gun into the back of my head, waiting for the go ahead from his “homie” to blow my head off. Fate was kind that day but I wouldn’t fancy my chances a second time around.
I told the lady behind the desk my story, and she asked if I was interested in hiring an “Uber” but not an Uber. I didn’t hesitate and from there on in, things were looking up.
I booked my ride for 6:30am for the next morning and the drive was 8 minutes to the gym. No one was there so I left and we went back at 9:30am, and to my surprise the door to the gym was open and blowing in the icy wind. I walked inside and I waited and waited. My driver was okay to hang around and she watched a star wars movie on her dvd player. I checked the time and it was 11am, when I saw a white mini van coming towards the gym. I walked towards the reversing van and I instantly recognised the driver. It was the former WBA welterweight champion of the world, Mark Ireland. He parked up and I introduced myself. I had met him before, years ago in “Gleason’s” gym in New York but it had been a long time ago.
Breland had been a decorated amateur, winning 5 New York Golden Glove Championships, and also a gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games. When he turned professional, he was touted as the next big thing in boxing. Breland had a good boxing career, became champion of the world, and made a bit of money, but these days, he works with Jay Deas as part of Wilder’s coaching team. Deas brought him in after discussions with Wilder’s long term advisor, Shelly Finkel, with both thinking that Breland had the perfect character, personality and experience for the team, and thus far, it has proved to be a very successful strategic move.
I said goodbye to my driver and I went inside with Breland and we talked boxing as we walked. I explained the reason I was here and I asked if Jay Deas would be coming to the gym today. Mark said he would be coming to the gym around 5:30pm, and he mentioned that Wilder would be sparring. I was then introduced to Damarius “Coach Cuz” Hill, who was the owner of the gym and also the assistant coach for Wilder. Coach Cuz showed me around the gym and made me feel welcome. It was now midday and the gym was getting busy. There was young kids, older guys wrapped in plastic, training to fight their middle age spread, good amateur boxers, and also up and coming pro’s getting ready to train and spar each other. The gym was basic, with 1 ring, 4 heavy bags, 1 speed bag and a hydro uppercut bag and all being battered and pounded, swinging back and forth in a squeaking pendulum motion, with their chains creaking above the rafters. I asked coach if it was okay to train and he said I could. I skipped and shadow boxed, and hit the bags until I was exhausted, but all the while, I soaked up the atmosphere and was happy to be there.
Sparring went on, all afternoon and the fighters would come and go. In-between watching, I had managed to make contact with Jay Deas, and although my phone was playing up, I was able to explain why I was here. After explaining my story, Jay told me that I had to follow the protocols and that it was unusual for someone turning up out of the blue. I told Jay that I had been in boxing for a long time and I had interviewed a lot of world champions, and I understood and respected the rules and the protocols. I was so close but so far and I had no choice but to leave the gym and wait for the green light. I was upbeat but it was getting dark so I made the long walk back under that railway bridge to my hotel. That night, I received the call I was hoping for. I had to be at the gym at 5pm the next day. I was very happy and relieved. I was one step closer to achieving my goal.
The next morning, I was up early and I went for a big walk, talking to the locals, gathering information about the city, its people and Deontay Wilder.
On my travels, I found out that Tuscaloosa had bounced back after experiencing a mile wide tornado that devastated the area in 2011, killing 65 people and injuring more than 1,500. Large parts of the city had to be totally rebuilt and the cost of the damage was close to 3 billion dollars. Since that time, the city has thrived in industries such as having their Mercedes Benz factory, and a large steel mill, not to forget the revenue that comes in during college football season, which in total, creates work opportunities for thousands of people living in this small city of Alabama.
I was also told that Deontay Wilder was a very popular son of Tuscaloosa after growing up here, going to school here, and also working as a beer delivery driver to make ends meet. I was told that Wilder regularly gives back to the communities of not just his own hometown, but also to other disadvantaged areas in surrounding towns. He is so popular that there are plans to erect a statue of him along the Black Warrior river walk, thus cementing his legacy and popularity with his people.
After my walk and meeting the locals, I organised my ride to get to the gym. When the lady turned up, there was a baby in the back, and a small dog that had a bad hair day. The baby was screaming and the dog was barking but I knew I was 8 minutes away. The lady driving me asked me if I had met Deontay yet, I said no. She then asked me if I had met a lot of boxers, I told her I had. She then asked me if I had met Rocky?! I spent the last minute of the journey explaining that Rocky was just a movie. It was a long 8 minutes…
I said goodbye and I walked in the gym and I was met by Mark Breland and Coach Cuz. Jay Deas arrived a few minutes after 5, and we had a good chat. I immediately liked his enthusiasm and personality. He was very straight and honest which in boxing, can be rare at times. Jay motioned me to follow him around to the ring area where there were a few people waiting. As always when you get access into a fighters training camp, particularly whenever they are sparring, there is rules of engagement, and Jay took us through the rules which were, no talking, no coaching, no oohs, no ahhh, no filming, no photos. basically shut up and watch.
In the background, the sparring partners were all getting warmed up, and getting themselves mentally prepared to go into the ring with arguably the hardest [one punch] puncher in the history of the heavyweight division. Jay Deas was shouting last second instructions to the 3 sparring partners, “Okay guys, is there grease on those gloves?…Okay. Let’s go, like we spoke about.“
Without giving names, all the sparring partners were big, mobile boxers, with fast hands with each trying to simulate certain aspects of Tyson Fury in the ring. Sparring went very well and as the rounds went by, I watched Wilder’s feet and his footwork and his balance was impressive. His athleticism speed and power as well as his accuracy was impressive. It was a privilege to watch.
As I reflected, what stood out to me was Wilder’s team, although small, it seemed just right. Everyone working for Deas. Everyone there for Wilder. It was clear, Deas was the ring master, calling the shots, while the quieter Breland giving Wilder just the right amount of instructions in between the rounds, to having Wilder’s long term strength and agility coach, Joey Scott, stretching almost every body part Wilder has, into submission, even before Deontay put the gloves on.
I had been inside world champions training camps before and on occasions the gym was a scene of chaos, with so many people and hanger on’s, in the gym, that there was barely room for the fighter to train. This was definitely not the case here and everyone that was there had a reason to be there, and that was great to see.
Once Wilder and the sparring partners had finished and had time to cool their bodies down, I talked with them and the mood in the gym was that of high spirits and a positive vibe. Tonight's work was done. Wilder went for a rub down then I had a few photos with him and the guys in the gym. We talked a lot about family, boxing and we talked about Fury.
Before I left Sydney, I bought some presents which were some souvenirs, which I thought would go down well. I had some small koala bears, some koala chocolates, and for Deontay, I brought him a kangaroo balls bottle opener. When I presented him with the bottle opener, he at first looked puzzled, then he paused then he burst out laughing. It was a great moment and a lasting memory for me.
Jay Deas asked me if I wanted to go for some food and I said yes. We had southern style barbecue ribs, and also white bread and dipping sauce which was a bit of a traditional reminder from years gone by, when the poor locals could only afford to eat dry bread and their special spicy sauce. The bread and sauce actually took me back to my early years growing up in Scotland.
We talked boxing and it was clear that this man’s life was not just boxing, but the kids in the communities and how he could introduce the kids to discipline, morals, and also give these kids a real purpose in life through boxing training. Listening to him was inspirational. We said goodbye and that was that.
I got back to my hotel and as I lay on my bed, I thought about my time in Tuscaloosa and how I got here and where I had been. I was nodding off, when my phone beeped. It was Jay. He asked me if I wanted to go out to dinner after the gym the next day as the sparring partners were going out. I didn’t hesitate.
We all went out and Mark Breland joined us. We talked boxing, we talked about funny stories about boxers. We talked about Breland's short movie career and we had a laugh. We talked about local business and don't ask me how, but we got on the subject of AIDS. I told them my story that happened years ago when I got in an altercation outside the ring with a nutcase that bit the bottom of my shin. I showed them the teeth marks I still have and the whole table were cracking up laughing. I finished by telling them I had to get an AIDS test. It was a great night of stories and it was also good for the sparring partners to get a break from their training camp, and for me it was especially good to hear their personal stories of why they were fighting and the struggles they endured in life, all to realise their dreams of being a prize fighter and being able to give their families a better life.
After saying our goodbye’s, Jay dropped me at my hotel. 10 minutes later, I was packing my bag and as I did, I thought about my time in Alabama, the people I had met, and the experiences along the way. I also thought about Deontay Wilder. I thought about the training camp. What he did to stay champion and what he does in the gym to get ready , and what I had seen was just a mere snapshot of his training camp.
Finally I had the realisation that I had indeed found my way to Tuscaloosa.
Gary Todd has been involved in all aspects in the sport of boxing and he is the proud author of his books on boxing’s world champions, “Workout’s From Boxing’s Greatest Champs” Vol 1 and 2.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gary Todd.
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