Deontay Wilder was arrested for alleged possession of a concealed weapon in the early morning hours Tuesday in Los Angeles, TMZ is reporting.
The former heavyweight champ was stopped at around 1:15 a.m. in Hollywood because, police said, the windows of his Rolls-Royce were illegally tinted and his license plate was obstructed.
Police officers searched the car after smelling what TMZ described as “burnt marijuana.” They said they found the drug and a 9mm gun, according to the outlet’s sources.
Wilder, who was cooperative, was then arrested and spent part of the morning in jail. He bonded out at 6:34 a.m. local time.
Deontay Wilder responds to reports that he was arrested on a charge of possession of a concealed weapon after police found a 9mm pistol in his car overnight… pic.twitter.com/3k9sZETIvY
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 2, 2023
The 37-year-old from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, reportedly has been in talks to fight fellow former titleholder Anthony Joshua in what would be a massive event, particularly in the U.K. Wilder also has stated his desire to fight former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who is a free agent.
Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs) bounced back from back-to-back losses to WBC beltholder Tyson Fury by stopping Robert Helenius in one round in October, his most-recent fight.
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