Deontay Wilder was knocked out twice by Tyson Fury but reveals no one hit him harder than Frenchman with seven losses

DEONTAY WILDER is known for his skills as a knockout artist – winning 43 of his 46 bouts by knockout.

So when Wilder spoke to TalkSPORT ahead of his fight against Joseph Parker it was natural that they asked him who he’s faced that comes closest to him in terms of power.

Fury recorded two knockout victories against Deontay WilderGetty

GettyBut he revealed no one has hit him harder than Johann Duhaupas[/caption]

Many would have expected the answer to be Tyson Fury – who is the man responsible for Wilder’s two professional losses.

Fury beat Wilder by TKO in the seventh round in the second bout of their trilogy in 2020.

He then knocked Wilder out in the 11th round of the third bout of their trilogy.

But Wilder’s answer as to who he’s faced with the most power will surprise a few.

He nominated Johann Duhaupas as the man that punches hardest but initially struggled to recall his name.

Wilder said: “I would have to say the Frenchman.”

As Wilder pondered the Frenchman’s name, he then joked: “The hardest punch I’ve taken is taxes, when they take my taxes.”

But after it came back to him, he said: “That’s it, it’s Johann Duhaupas.

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“That’s the hardest punch I’ve faced in my career thus far.”

Wilder and Duhaupas clashed in 2015, in Wilder’s second WBC title defence.

Duhaupas was one of Wilder’s rare opponents that managed to withstand his power and took him deep into the fight – before succumbing to an 11th round Bronze Bomber TKO.

Wilder had a long run defending his WBC belt, lasting 10 matches before losing it to current holder Fury in 2020.

He’s currently on the comeback trail and all roads appear to lead to a glamour fight with Anthony Joshua in March.

Before that though, he’ll have to get past Joseph Parker in their Saudi Arabia bout on December 23.