Heavyweight knockout artist Deontay Wilder has become the latest athlete to turn to ayahuasca and believes it has been “one of the best journeys to experience”.
Wilder steps back into the ring for the first time in over a year as one of six heavyweight bouts on a stacked card dubbed ‘Day of Reckoning’ as he takes on former world champ Joseph Parker in the co-main event.
Boxing: Day of Reckoning SUN 24th DEC 3AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
Victory over Parker also puts Wilder on a collision course with two massive names in the division, one of which is competing in the main event: Anthony Joshua.
Wilder also has crossover star Francis Ngannou in his sights in what would be another blockbuster bout.
But before he can get to either of those two, Wilder must get past Parker, a Kiwi star who is close pals with the American’s longtime rival Tyson Fury.
Throughout his trilogy against Fury, Wilder’s emotions ran high.
But now, after his ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica, the devastating puncher considers himself “one of the happiest men alive” as a result.
“Ah man, ayahuasca has been … man it’s been one of the top things in my life that I’m glad that I’ve experienced,” Wilder told The Telegraph.
“One of the best journeys to experience, it’s been a beautiful thing for me and if you ask my wife she’ll say that it made me more sensitive, and she’s probably right, but it also made me happier as well.”
Wilder also hopes to return to Costa Rica after the fight for another ayahuasca retreat.
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But before then, he’s hoping to deliver a “devastating knockout” against Parker.
“Parker should be worried, anybody that faces me should be worried, I always say women lie, men lie, but numbers don’t lie, you know, I am the hardest punching boxer in history,” Wilder said.
“Every guy I’ve faced I’ve either knocked them out or put him on the canvas so I’m very dangerous and he should be aware of that.”
HOW TO WATCH
Boxing fans in Australia will be able to tune into the card via Main Event on Kayo Sports
START TIME
The Day of Reckoning card kicks off at 3am (AEDT).
WHEN IS IT
The biggest boxing card this year is on December 24.
BETTING ODDS (VIA SPORTSBET)
In the main event, Anthony Joshua is a $1.27 favourite against Otto Wallin, who is paying $4.25.
Deontay Wilder is paying $1.17 to beat Joseph Parker, with the Kiwi a $5.50 outsider.
As for the Aussies in action on the card, cruiserweight sensation Jai Opetaia is priced at $1.06 to beat $12.50 underdog Ellis Zorro.
Australian heavyweight Mark De Mori is the biggest outsider on the card as he’s paying a whopping $19 to beat Filip Hrgovic, who is a $1.02 favourite.
FULL FIGHT CARD
Anthony Joshua v Otto Wallin — heavyweight
Deontay Wilder v Joseph Parker — heavyweight
Filip Hrgovic v Mark De Mori (AUS) — heavyweight
Dmitry Bivol v Lyndon Arthur — for WBA light heavyweight title
Jai Opetaia (AUS) v Ellis Zorro — cruiserweight
Daniel Dubois v Jarrell Miller — heavyweight
Arslanbek Makhmudov v Agit Kabayel — heavyweight
Frank Sanchez v Junior Fa — heavyweight
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