Deontay Wilder looking to fight in Alabama soon

Heavyweight prospect and former Olympian Deontay Wilder has worked hard to get boxing regulated again in his home state of Alabama, and now that the commission is taking shape, he's looking to fight there for the first time on Novevember 19.

“I’m ready to fight in this state,” Wilder said after a mock bill signing ceremony with Gov. Bob Riley.

Boxing promoter and Wilder co-manager Jay Deas said he is shooting for a Nov. 19 bout.

Riley already signed the boxing commission bill into law but he scheduled a ceremony with Wilder, Deas, state Rep. Gerald Allen, R-Cottondale, and three of the four appointed state boxing commissioners. Allen sponsored boxing commission legislation in the House and Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, sponsored the Senate bill that passed in the 2009 regular legislative session.

The Governor also said, "Let me know what I can do to help. I've never been to a boxing match."

This is actually really exciting news, simply because Alabama shouldn't be without a boxing commission. There's money to be made for everyone, no matter if the cards are big or small, and some fairly big fights come through states like Mississippi. Berto-Collazo was in Mississippi, and Jones-Lacy will be, too. Roy Jones Jr. also helped get this thing done, probably because he'd love to promote in Alabama.

All I can really say otherwise is that when Wilder makes his Alabama debut, if he doesn't come out to "Sweet Home Alabama," something went wrong in the chain of command.