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Deontay Wilder, world heavyweight champion, says that deaths in the ring have reminded him of a "scary feeling" that he contemplates whenever he fights.
The Russian boxer Maxim Dadashev, 28, and the Argentinian Hugo Santillan, 23, died this week from injuries sustained during the fighting.
American Wilder, 31, has already been criticized for stating that he "was trying to get a body in my file".
Asked by BBC Sport about the risks he was running while fighting, he replied: "Almost every time I have to fight."
Wilder added, "It makes you think you can come in and not go out, we all fighters have some kind of mental illness to fight each other.
"But boxing will take you and shake you in. It's also an emotional sport."
Tributes were paid to Dadashev and Santillan for the whole sport.
Promoter Lou DiBella – who has worked with Wilder in the past – said these deaths meant he did not currently want to attend a boxing show, adding: "As a sport [or] the industry, we must look in the mirror. I have to look in the mirror. "
S addressing Mike Costello, BBC Sport correspondent, about the deaths, Wilder added: "It's a scary feeling.
"Every time I get on the ring, I make sure to be prepared.I tell people that I become a bronze bomber, a different animal.It's because I know to what point this sport is serious.we risk our life for the entertainment of others and i know how bad it is, i also have kids.
"It puts a gladiatorial spirit in your heart that you are going to do what you have to do and go out."
Wilder – who holds the WBC title in the heavyweight division – was questioned for raising the possibility that one of his opponents would die in the ring on more than one occasion.
His remarks were largely condemned, with critics of former world heavyweight champion Frank Bruno and former world heavyweight champion Tony Bellew extremely critical.
"As I am in this sport and dedicate my life to the entertainment of others, I have the right to say whatever I want," Wilder told IFL TV.
"I can say that I want to kill a man and that my actions may be different.
"It's me who's risking my life, I'll talk about my voice while I risk my life, give me that respect, please."
Wilder has confirmed that his next fight will still be against Cuban Luis Ortiz, despite a long delay in determining the venue and date of the match that will take place later this year.
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