American heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder was arrested on Tuesday on a gun charge, according to reports.
The 37-year-old was detained following what was described by TMZ as a routine traffic stop in Los Angeles.
Wilder is reported to have been driving through Hollywood at 1:15am when he was pulled over by police.
The former heavyweight champion’s vehicle was searched and he was subsequently booked on a charge of possession of a concealed weapon.
TMZ report that Wilder’s Rolls Royce was stopped after they noticed it had an obscured number plate and illegally tinted windows.
Upon inspection, as well as the 9mm pistol, police also allegedly detected the scent of burnt marijuana.
It’s also reported that Wilder was ‘cooperative and nice’ during the arrest. It’s understood he was released at 6:34am.
Shortly after the message of his arrest broke, The Bronze Bomber issued a cryptic message on social media which read: ‘I’d rather be safe than sorry. The End.’
It remains to be seen if the arrest will have any impact on any reported negotiations over a potential fight with Anthony Joshua.
He is eyeing a showdown with the Brit in Saudi Arabia after bouncing back from a double defeat to Tyson Fury with victory over Robert Helenius in October.
