Deontay Wilder is undeniably beaming with confidence following his stunning one-punch seventh-round KO victory over Luis Ortiz in their rematch last Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, that days after the win, he said, "I am the hardest-hitting puncher in boxing history, period."

The bold statement was a rebuttal served by Wilder to Boxing Hall of Famer George Foreman after the latter earlier said that the undefeated Heavyweight Champion is not yet at par with some of the greats in the division.

"He’s good but he hasn’t approached Joe Louis, Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson. No, he hasn’t approached that kind of recognition yet. No way," the 70-year-old Foreman says. "For me, he has to have a performance like Mike Tyson did over Trevor Berbick. Boy, when I saw that, I was down visiting Vegas, and I thought, ‘This guy is a nightmare!'”

The 34-year-old knockout artist shredded the criticism apart, saying his right hand’s power is more lethal than that of Ali, Tyson, and others. And for critics like Foreman, “The Bronze Bomber” sent a simple response: "Let (the past) go!"

Based on a report by TMZ Sports, it is said that Deontay Wilder knows that Mike Tyson “has been praising him in private.”

"I had some people sitting by Mike (at my fight). Mike gave me some praises, which I wish he would have said in public. Behind closed doors is cute and s**t but out in public?! Just express yourself,” an intense Deontay Wilder said. "I don't know what the deal is with the old generation, new generation. Like, the old is the past, bro -- let it go!"

Despite the criticisms, George Foreman does not deny him being a fan of the present Heavyweight superstar. In fact, he joins the flock of Boxing fans clamoring for a Wilder rematch against Tyson Fury. Moreover, the 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist says that Wilder winning that fight could elevate his status as one of the greats in the history of the Heavyweight division.

"I think the Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury rematch would be one of the greatest of all time. Not just today, but of all time. If I see that fight, I would say Deontay Wilder has moved up in status and whoever wins the fight will probably be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time."

WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder celebrates after knocking out Luis Ortiz in the seventh round of their title rematch at MGM Grand Garden Arena
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder celebrates after knocking out Luis Ortiz in the seventh round of their title rematch at MGM Grand Garden Arena GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Steve Marcus
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