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Deontay Wilder may not sound like the latest in a list of luminaries to win the heavyweight title, but after beating Bermane Stiverne, he became the first American to win some iteration of the belt in nearly a decade. The charismatic WBC champ is 33-0 (32 KO), and he is eager to use his boundless energy, long arms and stone fists to clean up the division this year.

Wilder spent some time on the phone with CBSsports.com to give his take on his place in the sport, as well as throw down on the mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao on May 2.

Jason Keidel, CBSSports.com: What was the first thing you thought of when you won the title?

Wilder: My daughter. When she was less than a year I promised her I'd become heavyweight champion.

CBSSports.com: How old is she now?

Wilder: Ten.

CBSSports.com: How did you meet (your trainer) Mark Breland?

Wilder: Through Shelly Finkel. Mark and I hit it off right away. He's family. Anyone I have in my corner or my camp has to be family, or I don't want them.

CBSSports.com: What's the one vital thing he's taught you?

Wilder: My jab. Mark had a beautiful jab, and he's now shown me how to throw it. Stiverne tried to get me to slug it out, but I stuck to the plan. We worked on jabs and combinations to frustrate him.

CBSSports.com: Now that you're the champ, do you have a mandatory challenger?

Wilder: My mandatory is (Wladimir) Klitschko. He's all my mandatories. I can't rest until I get all the belts.

CBSSports.com: Is there a rush to get the fight?

Wilder: Klitschko isn't getting younger. He's a family man now. He has things to think about outside of boxing. The public wants the fight soon.

CBSSports.com: Will you fight this year?

Wilder: I'd love to, but that depends on him. Next year, for sure. Either way, I'm fighting three more times this year.

CBSSports.com: What's your take on Mayweather-Pacquiao?

Wilder: Great fight. Perfect styles for each other.

CBSSports.com: Do you give either corner an edge?

Wilder: No. Both fighters are in good hands. Freddie Roach and Roger Mayweather have been working with their guys so long there's no edge.

CBSSports.com: What do you think will happen?

Wilder: First three rounds, they will be cautious. They'll be careful because there's been so much hype for this fight. No one wants to make a mistake early.

CBSSports.com: Will Pacquiao's southpaw stance make a difference?

Wilder: It takes adjustments to fight a southpaw, but Floyd just has to keep busy and stay outside Manny's right foot. That's what I'd do.

CBSSports.com: Does Pacquiao need a knockout to win?

Wilder: No.

CBSSports.com: Does he have to knock Mayweather down to win?

Wilder: No.

CBSSports.com: You honestly see Pacquiao winning a decision on points without Floyd hitting the floor?

Wilder: I do. If it's really close I see it in Manny's favor, because he's the busier fighter. He's a big star, too. All these things matter in a title fight.

CBSSports.com: What about Floyd's famous shoulder roll?

Wilder: That's what the lead right is for. He needs that to get over Mayweather's defense. Some good hooks wouldn't hurt, either.

CBSSports.com: So what happens the rest of the fight?

Wilder: Floyd has to be a counter-puncher, which is something he's done before. He has to use Pacquiao's aggressiveness against him. He will start to take over in the middle of the fight.

CBSSports.com: So even if Pacquiao is more potent, it sounds like you give the edge to Mayweather.

Wilder: He has to dictate the pace, but he's been doing that his whole career. He's seen just about everything in the ring.

CBSSports.com: So who wins?

Wilder: Mayweather by decision.

Current heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder like Mayweather over Pacquiao in a decision. (Getty Images)
Current heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder like Mayweather over Pacquiao in a decision. (Getty Images)