Deontay Wilder secured a victory over Derek Chisora in a heavyweight contest held at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.
Deontay Wilder “vehemently denies” allegations of physical assault against the son of his former partner, according to a statement from the former world heavyweight boxing champion’s legal counsel.
TMZ, external reports that Kerron Swift has initiated a civil lawsuit against Wilder, citing claims including “battery, assault, emotional distress, and false imprisonment.”
Swift, the son of Wilder’s former fiancée Telli Swift, alleges the abuse transpired between 2016 and 2024, a period during which he was a minor.
While BBC Sport has not reviewed the lawsuit, Wilder’s attorney, Paul Patterson, has confirmed its filing in Los Angeles.
Patterson stated that his client denies the allegations, describing them as “riddled with complete and utter fabrications” and affirming that Wilder has “never physically disciplined any child.”
“We are prepared to vigorously defend this case,” Patterson added.
On Saturday, Wilder, representing the United States, defeated British boxer Derek Chisora by split decision in their heavyweight match at London’s O2 Arena.
This victory interrupts a streak where the 40-year-old Wilder had lost four of his previous six bouts, bringing his overall fight record to 45-4-1.
Patterson characterized the lawsuit’s timing as a “classic smear campaign” intended to detract from the recent fight.
However, the X-Law Group PC, representing Swift, informed TMZ that they “filed this action quietly and without a press release – the opposite of what we would have done if the intent were to generate publicity.”
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