As the boxing year charges full steam ahead, 2008 Olympic Bronze Medallist Deontay Wilder, the lone US boxer to medal at the Beijing Games, is already making a statement in his first year as a professional.
The heavyweight looked impressive in scoring a first round technical knockout victory against Shannon Gray, 1-1 (0), at the Trotter Convention Center in Columbus, Mississippi on Friday, March 6.
The four round main event ended abruptly in the first frame after Wilder landed a left hook-right hand combination that knocked Gray into the ropes.
Wilder followed up and landed a right hand to score the first knockdown of the bout. Gray got back to his feet, but was immediately caught with a flurry of punches.
A body shot to Gray’s mid-section resulted in a second knockdown and when Gray was unable to stand, a victory for Wilder.
With the win, Wilder’s professional record increased to 2-0 (2). He will look to increase his win total to three in his next bout which will take place on Saturday, March 14 at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.