ESPN have rubbished reports Deontay Wilder broke the jaw of a mascot on live TV.
The WBC heavyweight champion issued a confused apology over the weekend when suggestions on social media surfaced about him breaking the jaw of a mascot.
Wilder appeared on ESPN Nacion promoting his title defence against Tyson Fury, and engaged in a pre-planned stunt to punch a mascot.
The footage then started circulating a week later on social media, with claims Wilder had accidentally injured the poor guy inside the suit and the mascot needed to be taken to hospital.
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Wilder was not totally convinced he did indeed break anyones jaw in his apology, and ESPN have confirmed the reports were false.
A statement read: Deontay Wilder has issued an apology to the man inside the mascot costume he punched while appearing on an ESPN show.
Wilder was encouraged to demonstrate his punching power by striking the mascot on ESPN Nacion. The blow knocked the mascot to the ground.
Despite initial reports [that Wilder broke the mans jaw], the man inside the costume was not injured by the punch.
Wilder will get back to real fighting on 1 December against British challenger Fury.
The former unified champion travels to Los Angeles to take on Wilder, with both men putting their unbeaten records on the line.
MORE: Nathan Gorman begs Ricky Hatton every week for Daniel Dubois fight
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ESPN have rubbished reports Deontay Wilder broke the jaw of a mascot on live TV.
The WBC heavyweight champion issued a confused apology over the weekend when suggestions on social media surfaced about him breaking the jaw of a mascot.
Wilder appeared on ESPN Nacion promoting his title defence against Tyson Fury, and engaged in a pre-planned stunt to punch a mascot.
The footage then started circulating a week later on social media, with claims Wilder had accidentally injured the poor guy inside the suit and the mascot needed to be taken to hospital.
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Wilder was not totally convinced he did indeed break anyones jaw in his apology, and ESPN have confirmed the reports were false.
A statement read: Deontay Wilder has issued an apology to the man inside the mascot costume he punched while appearing on an ESPN show.
Wilder was encouraged to demonstrate his punching power by striking the mascot on ESPN Nacion. The blow knocked the mascot to the ground.
Despite initial reports [that Wilder broke the mans jaw], the man inside the costume was not injured by the punch.
Wilder will get back to real fighting on 1 December against British challenger Fury.
The former unified champion travels to Los Angeles to take on Wilder, with both men putting their unbeaten records on the line.
MORE: Nathan Gorman begs Ricky Hatton every week for Daniel Dubois fight
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