Deontay Wilder punching a mascot on live TV is still so surreal to watch

Deontay Wilder has been hitting the headlines once again recently with his comeback fight set for October 15 against Robert Helenius.

The former WBC heavyweight champion has been pictured in training with fans discussing his new physique and speculating on whether he can rise again after his defeats to Tyson Fury.

However, with high-profile sports performers you get hype and a tweet has gone out with footage of the Bronze Bomber landing a punch on an ESPN mascot back in 2018.

It was widely reported at the time that Wilder had broken the mascot’s jaw and a tweet which went out today follows that narrative.

The truth behind it, though, appears to be much less sensational. Although he may not have actually broken the mascot’s jaw, the footage is still so surreal to watch.

Who on earth thought it would be a good idea to get the hardest-hitting boxer to punch a mascot?!

Flashback to when one of the hardest punchers ever, former Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder broke a mascot’s jaw and sent him to hospital! pic.twitter.com/aq778v4f5R

Ross A. Lincoln in TheWrap reported that Wilder was being interviewed on ESPN’s “Adicto al Boxeo” to talk about his forthcoming title defence against Tyson Fury. Approaching the end of the segment, Wilder, who had made it clear he was keenly anticipating the fight, was invited to express his impatience on a punching dummy. Which he did with relish.

Then, encouraged by the hosts, he was invited to take on the channel’s colourful mascot to determine the ESPN champion. This resulted in a joke sparring match where the Bronze Bomber landed a few heavy duty punches.

The show closed without incident, however, two weeks later a YouTuber showed the clip and stated that the man inside the costume had