Deontay Wilder Named Ambassador for Peace by Pope Francis

Boxing’s longest-reigning World Heavyweight Champion meets with the Pope during a private ceremony at Vatican City.

Undefeated WBC World Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder was named the Boxers’ Representative and Ambassador for Peace through Sport by Pope Francis during a private ceremony at Scholas Occurentes headquarters in Vatican City on Friday.

Wilder, who was accompanied by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, joins Muhammad Ali and Riddick Bowe as the only American heavyweights to ever have an audience with the Pope.

“This was an incredible honor and I’m very happy to have met with Pope Francis,’’ Wilder said. “I want to thank him for meeting with me. I also want to thank the WBC for arranging the visit and thank the Italian Boxing Federation for hosting me as I visited with the people of Italy. It has been one of the best experiences of my life. It proves that I plan on being a true heavyweight champion of the world.’’