‘Rather be safe than sorry’: Boxing star arrested over concealed weapon, posts cryptic message

Former boxing champion Deontay Wilder has posted a cryptic message after been arrested in LA while driving his Rolls Royce.

US boxer Deontay Wilder reacts during his official weigh-in before his heavyweight boxing fight against British boxer Tyson Fury at the MGM Grand Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 21, 2020. - The boxers will fight for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight Championship Title on February 22, 2020 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP)

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Deontay Wilder has been arrested and jailed in Los Angeles for possession of a concealed weapon.

The Los Angeles Police Department said Wilder was detained in the early hours of Tuesday local time after being stopped by police while driving his Rolls Royce car in Hollywood.

Watch Canelo v Ryder LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Sunday May 7 from 9am AEST. ORDER NOW >

He was subsequently booked on suspicion of carrying a concealed firearm in the vehicle.

He was released at around 6.35am after making bail set at $35,000 (USD), the LAPD and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

According to the TMZ, Wilder was pulled over by police who alleged the windows of his car were illegally tinted and his license plate was obstructed.

Officers subsequently reported smelling “burnt marijuana” coming from the vehicle and conducted a search, which uncovered a firearm.

US boxer Deontay Wilder was arrested in LA. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP.

Wilder was arrested for possession of a concealed weapon. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

TMZ cited unidentified sources as saying Wilder was “cooperative and nice” throughout the incident.

Wilder later appeared to address his arrest in a cryptic post on Twitter a few hours after his release.

“I’d rather be safe than sorry. The End,” Wilder wrote.

Wilder (43-2-1, 42 knockouts) returned to the ring after a year-long absence last year following the third of his epic fights with World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in October 2021.

He bounced back from two straight defeats to Fury with victory over Robert Helenius in October.

Wilder is now rumoured to be targeting a fight against former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.