📸 Amanda Westcott

WBC heavyweight title challenger Dominic Breazeale opened up on the scuffle involving Deontay Wilder in a hotel lobby two years ago.

The incident started the ball rolling on months of bad blood, which is set to conclude on Saturday night in New York.

Along with brother Marsellos, also a boxer, Wilder got into it with Breazeale in what was an unsavory situation.

Insults have flown between all three since then and comes to a head at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Addressing the issue with himself and the Wilder’s, Breazeale stated in no uncertain terms his desire to punish the champion this weekend.

“The personal thing from the outside of the ring makes the revenge factor. (Wilder) approached myself and my wife and kids. It was a situation that was not boxing related,” explained Breazeale.

“The gratification and the fact that my personal revenge, knocking out Deontay Wilder is a lot bigger than just an actual win or KO on any other given night.

“It’s been the biggest motivational tool in this last camp. The one thing that gets me up early in the morning to run.

“It’s the thing that gets me through the 10th and 11th and 12th round of sparring. The idea of what I want to achieve and stay focused.

“It’s definitely been a huge motivator for camp. I think I’m going to close here pretty soon. It’s more or less going to be the mental idea that I’m going into a heavyweight title fight to perform my best, to fulfill my best.

“I’m not going to take any of that emotion or craziness into the fight because if you do that you’ve already lost the battle,” he added.

The build-up is all making for a solid grudge match in store when the pair trade blows.

Wilder is aiming for a 40th knockout, whilst Breazeale hopes to erase the memory of losing to Anthony Joshua.

A lively weigh-in is expected on Friday, with extra security on standby if needed prior to the first bell.







ABOUT WILDER VS. BREAZEALE

Wilder vs. Breazeale is headlined by Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder defending his WBC title against top contender Dominic Breazeale Saturday, May 18 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. defending his title against former world champion Kiko Martínez, plus unbeaten super lightweight contender Juan Heráldez squaring-off against former world champion Argenis Méndez in a 10-round attraction.

Tickets for this BombZquad event can be purchased at ticketmaster.com and barclayscenter.com. Tickets also can be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP. The Heraldez vs. Mendez fight is co-promoted with Mayweather Promotions.