Costume maker responds to Wilder criticism
The costume makers at the center of a current controversy involving Deontay Wilder’s ring walk attire Saturday night in his first professional loss, are answering the criticism and saying they look forward to continue to work with the former champ.
Designers Cosmo Lombino and Donato Crowley of “Cosmos Glamsquad” in Los Angeles, released a statement Tuesday evening, in part explaining and in another part defending, the costume that Wilder wore to the ring, including a mascot like helmet on his head with special LED lights.
“From day one, we’ve shared Deontay and Telli’s (Wilder’s fiancee’) vision for the Bronze Bomber. We remain excited as ever to participate in the creative expression this alter – ego affords our client. Deontay and Telli are clear that Cosmo and Donato continue to resonate with their growth strategy for the Bronze Bomber.
As the complexity and sophistication of the Bronze Bomber aesthetics graduate to new heights, we stand by the contributions and exceptional craftsmanship we have brought. Last weekend the hard work of our entire team- notably our theatrical division- achieved an unprecedented synergy of cinematic couture and pro sports. Also unprecedented: the amount of public conversation devoted to each of our collaborations with Deontay and Telli.”
“Deontay Wilder called me at home last night,” says Donato. “We had an extensive honest conversation that put confusion and rumors to rest. Reiterating that he considers us “family,” Deontay was very clear that he looks forward to future collaborations. The subject of the call then turned to “Wilder vs Fury III.”
Cosmo says, “all of us consider it a privilege to contribute to the cultural professional Legacy of the iconic Deontay Wilder. As a fashion organization, I see no greater honor or responsibility that our team could be entrusted with.”
Cosmo and Donato have worked with Wilder in the past for his ring walk attire, including for his previous title defense last November with Luis Ortiz. And, as they laid out, Wilder set out to do a complete tribute to “Black History Month” with the design of the costume and the accompanying music and video being shown in the arena, as Wilder walked to the ring Saturday night.
Hear a full recap of the Wilder-Fury fight on our Big Fight Weekend podcast here:
It should also be pointed out that Wilder had previously put on the full costume and head gear prior to wearing it to the ring in the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday.
However, that didn’t stop Wilder from starting his own controversy, when he blamed the weight of the costume and head attire for one of the reasons he did not have leg strength during his 7th round TKO loss to Tyson Fury.
Wilder told Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports on Monday,
“He didn’t hurt me at all, but the simple fact is … that my uniform was way too heavy for me,” Wilder said. “I didn’t have no legs from the beginning of the fight. In the third round, my legs were just shot all the way through.”
As for the designers, Cosmo and Donato, they also made the ring walk attire for unbeaten Women’s Undisputed Jr. Middleweight Champ, Claressa Shields in her most recent Showtime title fight last month.
And, they insist that they will continue to have a relationship with Wilder in the future, but that’s yet to be confirmed by Wilder.
A veteran broadcaster of over 25 years, T.J. has been a fight fan longer than that! He’s the host of the “Big Fight Weekend” podcast and will go “toe to toe” with anyone who thinks that Marvin Hagler beat Sugar Ray Leonard or that Tyson, Lennox Lewis or Deontay Wilder could have beaten Ali!
