World Boxing News caught up with Dustin Nichols, the 400-pounder who gets accredited by a minority with a knockdown of Deontay Wilder.
Nichols faced the future heavyweight champion, losing via stoppage at the end of the third round. However, there’s genuine belief – especially on social media – that Nichols put Wilder down for the first time in his career.
After over a decade, WBN decided to get Nichols’ perspective on the incident. The 5-15 heavyweight had nothing but respect for the “Bronze Bomber” and is glad to have been part of his journey.
Five years after they met, Wilder embarked on the most significant WBC title runs of recent times. He made ten title defenses over five years until running into the juggernaut Tyson Fury.
The “Big Worm” began discussing Wilder by addressing whether he thought he genuinely put the Alabama slammer on the canvas.
“Well, you be the judge of that. The knockdown is on YouTube. Anybody can see it. I believe I made good contact, and he fell into the ropes. But you tell me!
“All I remember is that being in the ring with a future heavyweight champ was great. He was a nice man. He and his trainer, Jay Deas, both were great to me.”
Nichols explained how the stoppage came about at the end of the first three-minute session: “I had a small cut over my left eye. The doctor stopped it for that.”
Wilder is ready to return to action after another year out. He’s currently linked to a clash with Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia.
Airing his prediction on the fight and relaying his thoughts on whether Wilder can win another world title, he stated: “Deontay Wilder will win against Anthony Joshua by massive knockout in the fourth or fifth, and I do think he will win another championship.
“The only losses on his record came against Tyson Fury. I personally think Fury is the best heavyweight ever. He is one of my favorites to watch. But Wilder can win another world title.”
On his own career and if he’ll fight again after losing in the first round back in March, Nichols replied: “I may fight again, but I’m not sure. It all depends on the money.
“I took the Wilder fight on four days’ notice and hadn’t trained for months. Anything can happen in boxing. I may get a call tomorrow. Who knows?
“Like I said, I’m always down to bang if the money is right. But I’m a preacher, too, now. It’s my goal in life to lead as many people to Jesus Christ as I can. Just be a reflection of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
In addition, Nichols chuckled in his thoughts on the fact that he takes up four spots in the top five heaviest fights of all time: “To be honest, I think it’s funny. I’ve always been big.”
Phil Jay is an experienced boxing news writer.
