Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has spoken candidly about the emotional and financial sacrifices he made while playing a father figure to his former partner’s son.
Speaking on a podcast, Wilder said he fully embraced the responsibility of being a “father, not just a daddy,” explaining that his commitment went beyond emotional support to long-term financial planning.
He revealed that he added both his then-girlfriend and her son to his will, despite not being married to her or biologically related to the child.
“I went in so hard to the point where I put them in my will,” Wilder said, adding that he even discussed the decision with his own children.
According to the boxer, his kids agreed to “scooch over” to make room for the additional beneficiaries, a gesture he described as a testament to their close bond.
Wilder said the decision reflected how deeply he invested in the relationship and the family structure he believed he was helping to build. However, he also admitted that the experience came with emotional pain.
Recounting a tense moment, Wilder said the child once told him, “You ain’t my daddy,” a comment he described as deeply hurtful. “That’s one thing you don’t say to a man that ain’t your daddy,” he said, noting that the reminder cut deeply because of the sacrifices he had made.
The former champion’s remarks have sparked discussion online about blended families, boundaries, and the emotional complexities that come with taking on parental roles outside of biological ties.
