Wilder denies claims he assaulted ex-partner's son

Deontay Wilder “vehemently denies” allegations he physically assaulted the son of his ex-partner, says the former world heavyweight boxing champion’s lawyer.

US outlet TMZ reports Kerron Swift has filed a civil lawsuit suing Wilder for claims including “battery, assault, emotional distress, and false imprisonment”.

Swift – the son of Wilder’s ex-fiancee Telli Swift – claims the abuse took place between 2016 and 2024, a period during which he was a minor.

BBC Sport has not seen the lawsuit, but Wilder’s lawyer Paul Patterson confirmed it had been filed in Los Angeles.

He said his client denied allegations which were “riddled with complete and utter fabrications” and had “never physically disciplined any child”.

“We look forward to defending this case,” he added.

American Wilder faces Briton Derek Chisora in a heavyweight bout at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.

The 40-year-old was once considered the most feared puncher in boxing but has lost four of his last six bouts, leaving his record at 44-4-1.

Patterson said the timing of the lawsuit was a “classic smear campaign” to distract from the fight.

But the law firm representing Swift – the X-Law Group PC – told TMZ it “filed this action quietly and without a press release – the opposite of what we would have done if the intent were to generate publicity”.