Deontay Wilder Statue To Be Unveiled Next Week In Tuscaloosa

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Bronze Bomber Deontay Wilder will soon be immortalized in his hometown in a fitting way.

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The City of Tuscaloosa and Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports (TTS) on May 25 will host a ceremony to unveil a statue of the former heavyweight boxing champion and Tuscaloosa native, which was crafted by local artist Caleb O'Connor.

The statue’s permanent location will be outside of the Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports building on Jack Warner Parkway.

Wilder held the World Boxing Championship’s Heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020 and earned his nickname after winning a bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

“We are excited to unveil this highly anticipated piece of public art featuring the Bronze Bomber – Tuscaloosa’s world-champion boxer – and created by Caleb O’Connor, who has adopted Tuscaloosa as his home and has created many other beautiful pieces in our City,” Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said.

O’Connor first moved to Tuscaloosa when he was commissioned to paint the murals on the inside of the Federal Courthouse Building in downtown Tuscaloosa in 2009 . He is also credited with the statue of Minerva at Manderson Landing that debuted in 2019 as part of the City of Tuscaloosa's bicentennial celebration.

TTS President & CEO Don Staley said the organization has been a longtime support of Wilder on his journey to become not just a champion, but one of the greatest boxers of all time.

"We’re proud of his accomplishments and are thrilled the visitor center will be home to this incredible statue,” he said. “His championship title has put our community, Deontay’s hometown, on the map and his statue will pay tribute to that.”

The City of Tuscaloosa says both Wilder and O’Connor are expected to be in attendance at the unveiling ceremony, which will be open to the public and begin at 2 p.m.

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