Deontay Wilder's mental health deteriorated after losses, says fiancee

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

1 3 minutes read

Deontay Wilder's fiancée says the boxer physically assaulted her, including choking her, at least 10 times since they began their relationship in 2015 and that his mental health deteriorated during his struggles on the ring, according to a request for a temporary restraining order that was granted. by a judge Monday.

Shuntel “Telli'' Swift said some of at least 10 physical attacks took place in front of the couple's 6-year-old daughter and son, and the temporary restraining order requires Wilder to stay at least 100 yards away from Swift and their daughter.

USA TODAY Sports obtained a copy of the request filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on May 30.

Wilder did not immediately respond to requests for comment left by USA TODAY Sports via voicemail and text message at a phone number listed in his name. Shelly Finkel, Wilder's co-director, declined to comment.

Swift, 37, said she fears what Wilder, 38, might do when he returns from his June 1 loss to Zilhei Zhang in Saudi Arabia. In the three homes they stay in, according to Swift's retraining order application, Wilder has a minimum of 12 weapons total, including a “machine gun,” an assault rifle and a Glock.

Wilder was required to sell or surrender the firearms to law enforcement 24 hours after receiving the restraining order, which expires June 25, the date of a court hearing in the case.

Deontay Wilder's struggles in the ring and his mental health

Over the past four years, Swift said, Wilder's mental health deteriorated during his continued struggles in the boxing ring, according to court records.

She said Wilder seemed depressed and angry after suffering his first professional defeat on February 22, 2020. Tyson Fury stopped Wilder by TKO in the seventh round of their rematch.

Swift said Wilder “became angry with me and our family,” according to court records. “I asked him to go to therapy, but he refused to try to get help.”

Wilder's behavior worsened after his further loss to Fury on October 9, 2021, according to Swift. Fury knocked out Wilder in the 11th round of their third and final fight.

“At that time, he was having difficulty getting fights that could advance his career and he was emotionally unstable,” Swift said in the request for a restraining order. “He often cried and screamed at our house.”

Since losing to Joseph Parker in December, Swift has said, “Deontay has been more emotionally abusive to me than ever before. I suffered in silence despite Deontay becoming more and more aggressive and controlling, because I didn't want him to experience further mental health issues.

In Saudi Arabia on May 31, Wilder was knocked out in the fifth round – his fourth loss in the last five fights.

Allegations of physical violence against Deontay Wilder

Since their relationship began in 2015, Swift said in court records, Wilder physically assaulted her at least five times and choked her at least five times, holding his right hand around her neck until She almost faints, leaving him with painful bruises.

Swift noted that Wilder is 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds and she is 5-4 and 150 pounds.

In 2020, Swift said, Wilder strangled her in front of their daughter and Swift's son. She also said Wilder twice attacked her son, Kerron. She said Kerron, now 18, was 11 when Wilder grabbed him by the clothes and slammed his head into the side of Swift's car because Wilder felt Kerron had behaved in a “disrespectful” manner.

In another incident, Swift said, Wilder berated Kerron for her “disrespect” and pushed on Kerron's chest. The area where Wilder's hand had turned dark red.

Swift said the last physical assault against her occurred in 2020, but Wilder became increasingly emotionally abusive and recently threatened to throw her out of one of their residences despite the fact that she was recovering from 'a surgery.

Deontay Wilder faces more allegations

Swift said she tried to leave Wilder after their argument and he refused to let her.

In 2017, Swift said, she was three months pregnant when Wilder hid her house and car keys because he didn't want her to leave.

“Deontay is unpredictable,” she said. “I need a restraining order against Deontay for domestic violence because his actions perpetuate a cycle of domestic violence in which he controls me whether or not I am with him in one of our homes.”

The situation has gotten worse since April because he is under the mistaken impression that she is having an affair, according to Swift, who said Wilder has had infidelities. Swift said she found several photos on her digital camera showing Wilder having sex in their bed with several women, according to court records.

Lina Portman

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