A new lawsuit filed just days before Deontay Wilder’s fight against Derek Chisora is placing the former heavyweight champion under scrutiny outside the ring.
According to court documents obtained this week by TMZ, Kerron Swift — the son of Wilder’s former fiancée, Telli Swift — has accused the boxer of years of physical abuse dating back to 2016, when he was still a child. The lawsuit alleges the abuse continued through 2024 and includes claims of assault, battery, false imprisonment, and emotional distress. Swift is seeking damages and has requested a jury trial.
The complaint describes several alleged incidents during the years Swift lived in Wilder’s home. In one claim, Swift alleges Wilder slapped him while they were in a car, causing his head to strike the interior.
Another allegation centers on a 2019 incident in which Wilder allegedly struck him with a belt, leaving bruises.
The most serious accusation involves a 2022 confrontation in which Swift claims Wilder grabbed him by the throat, lifted him off the ground, and threw him into furniture. According to the filing, Swift believed he was going to die during the encounter.
Wilder has strongly denied the allegations. His attorney, Paul Patterson, said the claims are false and suggested the timing of the lawsuit is connected to Wilder’s upcoming bout in London.
“This is obviously an attempt to smear the good name of Deontay Wilder in pursuit of personal gain,” Patterson said in a statement. “Deontay Wilder is known as a loving and caring father who has never physically disciplined any child of his own or anyone else.”
Patterson also called the timing “suspicious” because Wilder is scheduled to fight Chisora in less than 48 hours.
The lawsuit arrives at a critical moment in Wilder’s career. The former WBC heavyweight champion is preparing for his 50th professional fight against Derek Chisora in London on Saturday.
Wilder enters the fight with a 44-4-1 record but has lost four of his last six bouts and is attempting to revive his standing in the heavyweight division.
At the same time, Wilder has been trying to expand beyond boxing. Earlier this year, Deontay Wilder was cast in Moses the Black, a crime drama produced by Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson.
The film, which also stars Quavo and Wiz Khalifa, was positioned as Wilder’s biggest acting opportunity after earlier appearances on Magnum P.I. and Billions.
