Deontay Wilder breaks silence after being arrested ‘with gun’ in car

Deontay Wilder has said that he would “rather be safe than sorry” after being arrested for possession of a concealed firearm in his Rolls Royce on Tuesday. The incident occurred at 1:15am on Tuesday morning, TMZ reported.

The American boxer and former WBC world heavyweight champion was pulled over by police in Hollywood while he was driving his luxurious Rolls Royce, and officers on the scene also told TMZ they searched the vehicle after smelling “burnt marijuana.”

Cannabis and a 9mm pistol were found in the vehicle, police reportedly told the outlet. “I’d rather be safe than sorry,” Wilder said on Twitter, reacting to his arrest. “The End.”

Wilder, who lost his heavyweight gold to Tyson Fury in a gruelling triology, reportedly had illegally tinted windows, which is what allerted the police’s attention to his vehicle. He was then taken into custody on a charge of “possession of a concealed weapon” after the discovery of the firearm, the report goes on to state.

Wilder is said to have been “cooperative and nice” during the arrest. TMZ reports that Jail records show he bonded out at 6:34AM.

Whether this latest incident throws a spanner in the works of a potential blockbuster fight with two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua is unknown. The pair are locked in talks over a dust up in Saudi Arabia, which could be scheduled for later this year.

The 37-year-old has a professional record of 43-2-1 and won his comeback fight over Robert Helenius via KO late last year. Wilder is hoping to thrust himself back into title contention, and potentially a fourth fight with Fury, and toppling AJ who’s on a comeback trail of his own, could do just that.

“That’s what’s happening,” Joshua told Kay Physical when asked if a Wilder fight was on the cards. “It’s public news, we’re throwing it down in December.”