50 Cent inspired Deontay Wilder with ‘menacing’ pep talk before ring walk for his wildest KO
Deontay Wilder was a man possessed in his rematch with Bermane Stiverne.
Three years prior, Stiverne was the WBC heavyweight world champion, winning the belt Vitali Klitschko left vacant after retiring from the sport.
His mandatory challenger was Wilder, who'd racked up a remarkable record of 38-0 (38 KOs).
However, in his first world title fight, Wilder took a different approach and outboxed the solid, durable Stiverne for a unanimous decision victory.
In late 2017, Stiverne became Wilder's mandatory for a rematch very few fans were calling for.
This time, Wilder did not try to outbox him and instead obliterated him within one round of insanity.
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He flattened the Stiverne with a straight right hand, then posed in the middle of the ring with his hands down before unleashing once again.
Stiverne remarkably got up for a second time, only for Wilder to skid across the ring and pummel him again, leaving him slumped on the canvas.
Years later, 50 Cent, who walked Wilder out for the fight, revealed that he had a part to play in this devastating KO.
Writing in his book 'Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter', 50 Cent explained: "Some of the best pep talks I’ve given have been before boxing matches.
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"There’s something about that setting that really brings out the motivator in me.
"One I remember specifically was when I was in the dressing room with Deontay Wilder before his rematch with Bermane Stiverne.
"One of the keys to delivering an impactful pep talk is being able to read the energy in the room. And my read of the energy at that moment was that it was not where it needed to be.
"Deontay had his whole entourage with him, and there was no focus.
"Everyone was laughing and talking s*** like they were at a party.
"Deontay had already beaten Stiverne once before, and it was clear to me that everyone thought the fight was over before it had even begun. But that’s a very dangerous way to approach a fight.
"Yes, Deontay had beaten Stiverne, but the fight had gone the distance - the first time that had happened in Deontay’s career. He needed to be locked in on the job in front of him.
"A lot of fighters have wound up knocked out because they didn’t take their opponent seriously enough.
"I waited until I got Deontay into a corner of the dressing room where there weren’t as many people around. 'You’re not focused,' I told him evenly. 'I see you hitting the mitts and everything, but you’re not in the zone man.'
"Deontay didn’t have to say anything. He knew I was right. 'Stop bulls****ing. This man Stiverne is standing in the way of what you want. For the second time. Are you going to let him do that?'
"'Naw, I’m not,' Deontay replied.
"'Good. So let’s make him pay for his mistake then,' I told him, my voice rising.
"Suddenly, everyone around us realised the energy was changing. The room got quiet.
“'Listen man,' I continued, my voice taking on a menacing quality. 'You are going to make him pay for thinking he can step into the ring with you again. You are going to take this man into the deep waters. And then drown him.'
"Now I had Deontay locked in. He went back to hitting the mitts, this time with a purpose. Then I walked him out into the ring while performing Many Men. The party was over. Now it was time for business.
"It didn’t take long. Deontay knocked Stiverne down three times in the first round, before the referee called it. The ref literally had to jump on Deontay’s back to get him off Stiverne.
"It all happened so fast that I didn’t even have time to make it back from the ring to my seat in the skybox.
"Afterward Deontay said that he had felt 'possessed' in the ring. I know he was able to get to that state because I helped bring him there.
"Before I spoke to him, Deontay was going to walk into the ring in an unfocused state. After our talk, he went in there with a laser focus, which is what you need when your opponent is trying to smash your face in."
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Wilder since lost his title to Tyson Fury, whom he fought over three fights and could fight Anthony Joshua next.
However, having not fought since beating Robert Helenius in October 2022, 50 Cent may want to be near his phone for when that is announced.