Deontay Wilder Says Floyd Mayweather's 50-0 Comparison Doesn't Matter

While World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder would like to surpass Floyd Mayweather's record of 50-0, he is not too bothered by the comparison of their records. Wilder will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Tyson Fury at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Dec. 1 in what is one of the biggest matchups of the year.

A win over the lineal heavyweight champion Fury would not only represent one of the biggest names on Wilder's resume, but also set him up for a potential title unification clash with Anthony Joshua.

Being the unified champion of the heavyweight division is the Alabama native's ultimate goal, and he can do that with a win over Joshua in the future. But there is another unique achievement in Wilder's sight — Mayweather's record of 50-0.

Wilder winning next month would take his record to 41-0 and he would require 10 more wins to surpass the former five-weight champion's record. However, the 33-year-old is not too focused on a particular number that he wants to retire with, and believes a comparison with Rocky Marciano (49-0) is more fitting as he was in the same weight class as him.

"I don't really have a number," Wilder said in a recent BT documentary. "I've said, 'let me get to 51' just because when I look at Floyd, he's not even considered in the heavyweight division so his numbers really don't matter what he do as far as who he beat or how many times he defended because we're in two different weight divisions."

"Marciano is more realistic to me. I definitely want to overachieve what other heavyweights have done before me but if I get to my goals, that's [49-0] none of my goals, but if I get to my goals, and I don't have as many knockouts or going 49-0 like Marciano, it wouldn't bother me because I've already accomplished what my heart was so desired to do and everything else is just extra."

Wilder has spoken of the possibility of surpassing Mayweather's record in the past as well. Earlier this year, he claimed he could easily break his fellow American's record and wanted to go one step further by becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history.

"[The possibility of breaking Mayweather's record] came across my ears from the people that's around me," Wilder said in January. "It also had me think about it just a little bit. Those achievements... and if I make it goal, it will definitely happen. I can easily beat all of those guys records, easily. I'm just stepping into the prime of my career. I just walked into the door. I mastered my craft. I know everything about myself in the ring."

"And being able to have power, it makes all the difference. A lot of people think that I just rely on my power, but I don't have to rely on something that's naturally for me... it's natural. Those goals definitely will be broken. It's not that it's something that I'm seeking, but it would look nice on my resume. Hell, I might even pass George Foreman's record of being the oldest champion."

Mayweather, however, may have a chance to increase his record as he is expected to face Manny Pacquiao in a rematch following a December exhibition match with RIZIN sensation Tenshin Nasukawa.