Former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder said he would “rather be safe than sorry” after a gun was allegedly found in his car by police in Los Angeles.

Wilder was searched by officers as part of a routine traffic stop in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

He was pulled over because of an obscured number plate and excessive window tinting on his Rolls Royce, according to the LA Times.

Police reportedly smelt marijuana which led to a wider search of the car, during which a quantity of the drug and a 9mm handgun were discovered.

He was released on bail just after 6.30am after spending around five hours in custody.

The 37-year-old later appeared to reference the incident when he tweeted to his 777,000 followers: “I’d rather be safe than sorry. The End.”

The boxer is pegged as the next opponent for Britain’s Anthony Joshua, in Saudi Arabia in December.

Wilder’s reign as WBC heavyweight champion was ended by Tyson Fury in 2020.