Ex-Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder Arrested on Felony Gun Charge

Wilder was arrested in Los Angeles early Tuesday morning.

Former world heavyweight champion boxer Deontay Wilder was arrested early Tuesday morning in Los Angeles for possession of a concealed weapon. He was taken into custody around 1:15 a.m. and released on $35,000 bond about five hours later.

Los Angeles Police Department officers stopped Wilder’s Rolls-Royce because the vehicle’s front windows were tinted too dark and it had an obstructed license plate, according to Richard Wilton of the Los Angeles Times. When officers smelled marijuana, they opted to search the vehicle, finding a 9-millimeter handgun and some marijuana. Wilder, 37, was reportedly cooperative with officers during the search.

Later Tuesday morning, Wilder posted a tweet that read, “I’d rather be safe than sorry. The End.”

Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs) captured the WBC heavyweight title in 2015 and retained it through his next 10 fights. He eventually lost it to Tyson Fury on Feb. 22, 2020, the first of two consecutive defeats to Fury. Wilder last fought on Oct. 15, defeating Robert Helenius by knockout.