Deontay Wilder meets the Pope as star ramps up talk of fighting Anthony Joshua to become ‘true heavyweight champ’

DEONTAY WILDER became just the third American heavyweight ever to have an audience with the Pope afetr meeting the pontiff on Friday. The WBC heavyweight champ met Pope Francis in Vatican City as he toured Rome. Wilder was named the Boxers’ Representative and Ambassador for Peace through Sport, and had many words of admiration for […]

DEONTAY WILDER became just the third American heavyweight ever to have an audience with the Pope afetr meeting the pontiff on Friday.

The WBC heavyweight champ met Pope Francis in Vatican City as he toured Rome.

Instagram @wbcboxing

Wilder was named the Boxers’ Representative and Ambassador for Peace through Sport, and had many words of admiration for the leader of the Catholic Church.

Accompanying a picture of himself meeting the Pope, the Bronze Bomber posted: “What a honor it was to meet the #Pope @franciscus today.

“He’s truly a remarkable man that represents True Love, Happiness and World Peace for all human race.

“He also enjoys pizza and a huge boxing fan and you know he’s apart of the #BombZquad Family Baby.

“Much love from me Pope Francis and I’m wishing you many many blessings your way.”

After the meeting, Wilder fuelled speculation of a potential unification bout with Anthony Joshua next year by claiming that he wanted to be the “true heavyweight champion of the world”.

Joshua reclaimed his belts by defeating Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia last weekend.

And after his meeting with Pope Francis, Wilder said, via Premier Boxing Champions: “I want to thank him for meeting with me.

“I also want to thank the WBC for arranging the visit and thank the Italian Boxing Federation for hosting me as I visited with the people of Italy.

“It has been one of the best experiences of my life. It proves that I plan on being a true heavyweight champion of the world.’’

Having brutally dispatched of Luis Ortiz again last month, Wilder is expected to take on Tyson Fury again on February 22.

The pair fought to an epic draw in December 2018 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Fury survived a brutal 12th round combination from Wilder, somehow rising from the deck before the referee had finished the count.

And in the end many fans felt that Fury should have won the fight.

Wilder will be hoping that any “divine intervention” will be on his side this time.

While the rematch still hasn’t been formally announced, promoter Bob Arum revealed that it is set “in stone,” and that the announcement will be “spectacular”.

Arum also revealed that the fight will almost certainly take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

AP:Associated Press