Deontay Wilder reveals the little-known 17th heavyweight was the toughest sparring partner to face Wladimir Klitschko or David Haye

DEONTAY WILDER revealed a little-known 17 stone heavyweight was the toughest sparring partner he’s ever had.

Wilder shared laps at the gym with the likes of Wladimir Klitschko or David Haye in the early stages of his career.

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But according to the man himself, none of the ex-world champions had a patch on American veteran Alonzo Butler.

Wilder told ESNews, “I had a really good, solid war with Alonzo Butler, ‘Big Zo.’

“Big Zo was the fastest heavyweight I’ve ever seen, for his size he weighed a solid 250 pounds but he could move.

“If he had better management and handling he could have been world heavyweight champion.

“When I came up and saw him, I was very impressed. I looked at him like, ‘Damn, I want to be like this’.

“Alonzo was the man, he was the first guy I ever felt body shot by and I learned a lot from him in that time.”

Butler, now 43, has 34 wins, three losses and two draws with 25 knockout games to his credit.

He did not fight until 2021, but largely faced opposition from journeymen throughout his career.

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Wilder, 37, is considered one of the toughest hitters in boxing history, which led to his WBC crown.

But he made his name with valuable sparring after winning bronze at the 2008 Olympics.

And Haye, 42, can attest to just how hard the bronze bomber really hit.

He has told BT Sport in the past: “I really think he’s the hardest hitting heavyweight of all time, I know that might sound like an exaggeration.

“I was sparred by Wilder. I was hit in the chin by Wladimir Klitschko with 10oz gloves.

“There was more impact when Wilder hit me in the head with 18-ounce gloves and I was wearing a headgear – and it wasn’t even clean.

“I remember thinking afterwards, ‘This guy is going to do something.’ He was wild and he was everywhere… but the Force.”

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