DEONTAY WILDER hit Isaac Chamberlain so hard he thought he was back in London.
Cruiserweight Chamberlain sparred the former heavyweight world champion when he was just a teenager.
Isaac Chamberlain pictured with former sparring partner Deontay Wilder
At the time, Wilder was preparing for his career-defining title win against Bermane Stiverne in 2015.
And Chamberlain was on the receiving end of one of the most formidable right hands in boxing history.
He told Sky Sports: “He’s powerful, very powerful.
“I remember I sparred him when I was 19, he hit me with an uppercut, I thought I was back in London. He’s a solid puncher.
“People always say it’s his power. It’s not really, it’s his speed. He’s very quick off the mark and he processes very quickly.
“People don’t realise it and people only think he’s wild just in general. No, he’s only wild when he has you hurt.
“But he sticks to the basics very well, he’s very, very sharp. So he’s better than what people think.
“There’s method behind the madness.”
No one had an answer to Wilder’s brutal power until he first faced Tyson Fury in 2018, which ended in a draw.
But Fury, 33, went on to win the subsequent rematches, both by KO, the last of which has kept Wilder, 36, on the sidelines.
The American is set for a return this year and is being linked with a comeback fight against Robert Helenius, 38.
And Chamberlain, 28, who faces Chris Billiam-Smith, 31, on Saturday, backed Wilder to brace the ring again.
He said: “One million per cent. You need characters like that in boxing, he’ll be back.
“I remember I was FaceTiming him before the other fights, he was in the zone and locked in.
“A true test of character is how you bounce back.”
Isaac Chamberlain backed Deontay Wilder to return to the ring
Deontay Wilder is set to make his boxing return this year
