Wilders Skill to Power ratio is waaay off.

What I mean by this is, yea he has power and that is not up for dispute.

But look how long he went with Molina and Duhaupes(?). It seems that if someone actually knows how to defend a little, he wont get the 1st-4th round KOs.

I mean ok yes, he is still getting the job done but look at his 3 hardest fights (his last 3), Stiverne, Molina and duhaupes....

Do any of them last 3 rounds with Lewis? Bruno? Tyson? Holyfield? McColl? Bowe? Wlad? Joshua?

Stiverne maybe but he does get KOd by pretty much everyone on that list.

In conclusion: He is wild by name and nature, he accuracy is horrible (see his end to Audley fight where he missed like 10 hooks in about 3 seconds) hehas power but does not deliver it well and would be more effective being relaxed and waiting for his shots.

Most people aren't calling him skilled. He is still very raw and I don't will ever turn great but he has good power and is still a top HW.

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Originally Posted by powerpuncher

Most people aren't calling him skilled. He is still very raw and I don't will ever turn great but he has good power and is still a top HW.

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Which shows the state that the HW division is in.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vendettos

What I mean by this is, yea he has power and that is not up for dispute.

But look how long he went with Molina and Duhaupes(?). It seems that if someone actually knows how to defend a little, he wont get the 1st-4th round KOs.

I mean ok yes, he is still getting the job done but look at his 3 hardest fights (his last 3), Stiverne, Molina and duhaupes....

Do any of them last 3 rounds with Lewis? Bruno? Tyson? Holyfield? McColl? Bowe? Wlad? Joshua?

Stiverne maybe but he does get KOd by pretty much everyone on that list.

In conclusion: He is wild by name and nature, he accuracy is horrible (see his end to Audley fight where he missed like 10 hooks in about 3 seconds) hehas power but does not deliver it well and would be more effective being relaxed and waiting for his shots.

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Hindsight is a great thing. It's easy to talk about past heavyweights as if they were great but I'm 34 so I remember what people used to say about the fighters you mention when they were fighting.

Bruno ? When he was fighting he was seen as a stiff. A guy who look liked he should be in Mr Olympia but had a weak chin. His punching power at the very top level was suspect. Who was the best guy he knocked out ? Bugner ? Carl Williams ? Gerrie Cotzee ? C'mon

McCall ? He was never seen as a power puncher. So why you think he would got Stiverne, Molina or Duhappas out of there is beyond me. But he did probably have one of the greatest chins in heavyweight history.

Tyson ? OK. Now you're talking. I agree. A prime Tyson would have more than likely made mincemeat out Stiverne, Molina, Duhappas. Though remember even Tyson was taken the distance more than once and in his prime by Tony Tucker and Bonecrusher Smith ? Were Tony Tucker or Bonecrusher Smith that much better that than Stiverne, Molina or Duhaupes ?

Lewis ? For some reason. I don't what it is. But Lennox Lewis never really won people over. I don't know what that is. He fought Tyson when it did not matter and both where past there prime. And he never fought Bowe. He could not get Holyfield out of there in 24 rounds even though Holyfield was natural cruiserweight.

Would he have got Stiverne, Molina and Duhaupes out of there ? Well he was knocked out cold by Hashim Rahman and he could not him out there and he was controversial knocked out by McCall (I thought he should have been allowed to continue) he did go the distance with Ray Mercer, David Tua and the little known Zeljko Mavrovic.

Joshua ? Too early to say

Bowe ? Not so sure

Wlad ? Maybe

All in all. It's easy to look back and say 'they were good so good back then"

at least his fights are entertaining and exciting. watching wlad is like watching paint dry. plod, jab, hug, plod, jab, hug, then maybe throw a right sometime, maybe. LAME!!!

Holyfield spent 10 years as a heavyweight before he met Lewis. During that time he was the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and was stopped once (it took Bowe 32 rounds to get rid of him). He is an all-time great heavyweight.

Tua and Mercer epitomise what it is to have a granite chin. Both fought at the highest level with Tua never being stopped and Mercer when he was a pensioner. Mavrovic was also never stopped in his career.

Basically Lewis didn't stop four fighters that don't get stopped.

Now lets look at who he did stop.

Mason
Ruddock
Bruno
McCall (doesn't really count)
Morrison
Akinwande
Golota
Briggs
Grant
Botha
Rahman
Tyson
Vitali Klitschko

Every single fighter on this page would be a strong favourite to beat Molinas and Duhaupas. And how many would Wilder beat? He'd have a punchers chance with everyone (well obviously not with McCall) but I'd bet the unders at 50-50.

I think he's skilled and a natural athlete that is probably above average in most sports. I have fixated on the guy and delivered my share of contempt on how he's being handled. In large measure he represents one of the reasons I don't care much for the division. Has there ever been a more Ripe heavyweight division? Maybe Marciano's.

Its the coddling that disturbs me today above all else and in may cases its done by those who most likely could sweep the field. Its hard to say when this phenomenon started, perhaps it was with the advent of the sport but today its almost a way of life. Fighters in many cases don't get into the sport to fight, they get into it to get rich and famous. Jermaine Taylor has been the only one to admit that and yet he has one of the best resumes in the sport. Somewhere along the line the very ideal of the sport has been lost while its still being practiced. Its always been about economics but not to this extent. Its a selfie world and its more about the creation of stars then sorting out the sport.

An elephant in the room here is that he's American and if people don't think that skews the proceedings then I don't now what to say. Its not meant as an anti-american statement but its a fact. The division is an anomaly. Historically the weakest and yet the most prestigious. Its been a long drought for a division they have historically owned. He's just as much a marketing tool on steroids as he is a fighter. Its as much about reality tv as it is about the sport. Had David Price been in the States he would been handled quite differently and most likely would have got to 30+ in a row all by ko. He would have been hailed as the second coming of Gerry Cooney with better boxing skills.

Fact of the natter is there is more money today in the bluff that is oddly sustained by mediocrity. Much of the "buying" public laps this shit up. Deontay Wilder wont even mention Wlads name. He should have called him out or handed in his belt. He's got a bit of a dilemma now though. I'd wager he'd rather unify with Wlad then fight Povetkin.

Wilder fought far too many easy fights before he got to world level. Mormally when they bring a prospect along they feed them journeymen but they'll gradually up the level of journeymen. One guy will be extremely durable, another guy will be a mover, a braler, counterpuncher and so on. Eventually normally a fight or so before world level they'll put the prospect in with a puncher. Wilder just fought garbage up until Stiverne so yes is still miles away from a finished product. He's getting away with it due to his size and power but he's still making tons of elementary mistakes, going straight back with his hands down and so on.

You've got to figure that there's at least the Ukrainian cabbage farmer and maybe one or two others who can expose him. He's getting big ratings for Haymon Boxing Club though without fighting anybody meaningful so they'll probably keep it that way for a while. If I was Haymon I'd really not want to be putting him in with Povetkin anytime soon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by denilson200

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vendettos

What I mean by this is, yea he has power and that is not up for dispute.

But look how long he went with Molina and Duhaupes(?). It seems that if someone actually knows how to defend a little, he wont get the 1st-4th round KOs.

I mean ok yes, he is still getting the job done but look at his 3 hardest fights (his last 3), Stiverne, Molina and duhaupes....

Do any of them last 3 rounds with Lewis? Bruno? Tyson? Holyfield? McColl? Bowe? Wlad? Joshua?

Stiverne maybe but he does get KOd by pretty much everyone on that list.

In conclusion: He is wild by name and nature, he accuracy is horrible (see his end to Audley fight where he missed like 10 hooks in about 3 seconds) hehas power but does not deliver it well and would be more effective being relaxed and waiting for his shots.

---

Hindsight is a great thing. It's easy to talk about past heavyweights as if they were great but I'm 34 so I remember what people used to say about the fighters you mention when they were fighting.

Bruno ? When he was fighting he was seen as a stiff. A guy who look liked he should be in Mr Olympia but had a weak chin. His punching power at the very top level was suspect. Who was the best guy he knocked out ? Bugner ? Carl Williams ? Gerrie Cotzee ? cmon

McCall ? He was never seen as power puncher. So why you think he would got Stiverne, Molina or Duhappas out of there is beyone me.But probably had on of the greatest chins in heavyweight history.

Tyson ? OK. Now you're talking. I agree. A prime Tyson would have more than likely made mincemeat out Stiverne, Molina, Duhappas. Though remember even Tyson was taken the distance more than once and in his prime by Tony Tucker and Bonecrusher Smith ? Were Tony Tucker or Bonecrusher Smith that much better that than Stiverne, Molina or Duhaupes ?

Lewis ? For some reason. I don't what it is. But Lennox Lewis never really won people over. I don't know what that is. He fought Tyson went it did not matter and both where past there prime. And he never fought Bowe. He could not get Holyfield out of there in 24 rounds even though Holyfield was natural cruiserweight.

Would he have got Stiverne, Molina and duhaupes out of there ? Well he was knocked ot cold by Rahman and controversial knocked out by McCall (I thought he should have been allowed to continue) he did go the distance with Ray Mercer, David Tua and the little known Zeljko Mavrovic.

Joshua ? Too early to say

Bowe ? Not so sure

Wlad ? Maybe

All in all. It's easy to look back and say 'they were good"

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Stated very well D.

Every hall of famer went the distance with more than a few nobodies. How time makes us remember what we love and forget what we choose.
Wilder is credited with 326 out of 580 @ 56% and that is horrible accuracy?
Most HW's either fight forward or on the move. This very raw boxer did both, Damn!!!

Tyson for example can only fight forward, push him back he is done. James Toney superb in the phone booth, but make him extend his arms he becomes limited. Hell, Wladimir never fights inside. He clinches till the ref intervene and is technically fighting at a distance where he utilizes that jab and long reach.
When Corie Sanders knocked him the fuck out, it was in close quarters with no time for strategizing.
For all of Wilder's faults: He used his legs 1st few rounds to move back and counter, next few rounds he fought in the inside. then backed up Duhaupas, while retaining his power into the 11th And knew how to finish off with a flurry with both hands.

Amazing we get a fight that didn't require cable, ppv and is pretty entertaining, yet we still find reason to shit all over the event.
I'm not looking for Wilder to become a fighter that prefaces on defence.then I might cry that he is a safety first fighter. I don't care that he fights backwards, so as long as his hands move.
Fact is... I don't think he has to gain a certain level of skill to beat Wlad.
He needs to know his limitations, stamina and punch resistance.
He is tenacious, determined, and aims to please the crowd. The ingredients that will either cause knockouts or to get knocked out. Either way I am quickly becoming a Deontay Wilder supporter!!!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fenster

now lets look at who he did stop.

Mason--who didnt stop him
ruddock--who didnt stop him
bruno--who didnt stop him
mccall (doesn't really count)
morrison--stopped a few times (mercer, bentt,
akinwande---seriously???
Golota---doesnt count
briggs--please....
Grant---hahaha
botha---hahaha
rahman- ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha aha ha ha ha
tyson---i'll give you this one
vitali klitschko---and this one

.

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wilder beats half of these guys

Wilder on mainstream TV should be applauded just like Arreola v Stiverne when that was on ESPN. It brings new fans to boxing. Wilder is raw, wild and exciting.

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Originally Posted by Master

Wilder on mainstream TV should be applauded just like Arreola v Stiverne when that was on ESPN. It brings new fans to boxing. Wilder is raw, wild and exciting.

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FUNNY THO, I find Fury to be entertaining too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SlimTrae

Quote:

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Originally Posted by denilson200

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vendettos

What I mean by this is, yea he has power and that is not up for dispute.

But look how long he went with Molina and Duhaupes(?). It seems that if someone actually knows how to defend a little, he wont get the 1st-4th round KOs.

I mean ok yes, he is still getting the job done but look at his 3 hardest fights (his last 3), Stiverne, Molina and duhaupes....

Do any of them last 3 rounds with Lewis? Bruno? Tyson? Holyfield? McColl? Bowe? Wlad? Joshua?

Stiverne maybe but he does get KOd by pretty much everyone on that list.

In conclusion: He is wild by name and nature, he accuracy is horrible (see his end to Audley fight where he missed like 10 hooks in about 3 seconds) hehas power but does not deliver it well and would be more effective being relaxed and waiting for his shots.

---

Hindsight is a great thing. It's easy to talk about past heavyweights as if they were great but I'm 34 so I remember what people used to say about the fighters you mention when they were fighting.

Bruno ? When he was fighting he was seen as a stiff. A guy who look liked he should be in Mr Olympia but had a weak chin. His punching power at the very top level was suspect. Who was the best guy he knocked out ? Bugner ? Carl Williams ? Gerrie Cotzee ? cmon

McCall ? He was never seen as power puncher. So why you think he would got Stiverne, Molina or Duhappas out of there is beyone me.But probably had on of the greatest chins in heavyweight history.

Tyson ? OK. Now you're talking. I agree. A prime Tyson would have more than likely made mincemeat out Stiverne, Molina, Duhappas. Though remember even Tyson was taken the distance more than once and in his prime by Tony Tucker and Bonecrusher Smith ? Were Tony Tucker or Bonecrusher Smith that much better that than Stiverne, Molina or Duhaupes ?

Lewis ? For some reason. I don't what it is. But Lennox Lewis never really won people over. I don't know what that is. He fought Tyson went it did not matter and both where past there prime. And he never fought Bowe. He could not get Holyfield out of there in 24 rounds even though Holyfield was natural cruiserweight.

Would he have got Stiverne, Molina and duhaupes out of there ? Well he was knocked ot cold by Rahman and controversial knocked out by McCall (I thought he should have been allowed to continue) he did go the distance with Ray Mercer, David Tua and the little known Zeljko Mavrovic.

Joshua ? Too early to say

Bowe ? Not so sure

Wlad ? Maybe

All in all. It's easy to look back and say 'they were good"

---

Stated very well D.

Every hall of famer went the distance with more than a few nobodies. How time makes us remember what we love and forget what we choose.
Wilder is credited with 326 out of 580 @ 56% and that is horrible accuracy?
Most HW's either fight forward or on the move. This very raw boxer did both, Damn!!!

Tyson for example can only fight forward, push him back he is done. James Toney superb in the phone booth, but make him extend his arms he becomes limited. Hell, Wladimir never fights inside. He clinches till the ref intervene and is technically fighting at a distance where he utilizes that jab and long reach.
When Corie Sanders knocked him the fuck out, it was in close quarters with no time for strategizing.
For all of Wilder's faults: He used his legs 1st few rounds to move back and counter, next few rounds he fought in the inside. then backed up Duhaupas, while retaining his power into the 11th And knew how to finish off with a flurry with both hands.

Amazing we get a fight that didn't require cable, ppv and is pretty entertaining, yet we still find reason to shit all over the event.
I'm not looking for Wilder to become a fighter that prefaces on defence.then I might cry that he is a safety first fighter. I don't care that he fights backwards, so as long as his hands move.
Fact is... I don't think he has to gain a certain level of skill to beat Wlad.
He needs to know his limitations, stamina and punch resistance.
He is tenacious, determined, and aims to please the crowd. The ingredients that will either cause knockouts or to get knocked out. Either way I am quickly becoming a Deontay Wilder supporter!!!!!!

---

Great post! Is Wilder the best heavyweight ever? No! If you were able to put Wilder in against some greats from the past would he win? Who knows, probably not, but maybe. Does he have the punching power and the skills to compete and win against the heavyweights in front of him today? Yes! Will he be able to get that job done? Some of us think so, some of us don't.
Boxing fans, like all sports fans are never satisfied. in my opinion. Is that good or bad? Just being human? Insanity?

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Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing

Wilder fought far too many easy fights before he got to world level. Mormally when they bring a prospect along they feed them journeymen but they'll gradually up the level of journeymen. One guy will be extremely durable, another guy will be a mover, a braler, counterpuncher and so on. Eventually normally a fight or so before world level they'll put the prospect in with a puncher. Wilder just fought garbage up until Stiverne so yes is still miles away from a finished product. He's getting away with it due to his size and power but he's still making tons of elementary mistakes, going straight back with his hands down and so on.

You've got to figure that there's at least the Ukrainian cabbage farmer and maybe one or two others who can expose him. He's getting big ratings for Haymon Boxing Club though without fighting anybody meaningful so they'll probably keep it that way for a while. If I was Haymon I'd really not want to be putting him in with Povetkin anytime soon.

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That is true but for me it has more to do on what he's not doing now that he has arrived and the fact that the division is so weak makes it all the more difficult to understand. That is why I have concluded that for him its more about the marketing and selling the smoke and mirrors then it is about fighting but in fairness its not just him doing it. Look at the welter div. Its deep and nobody fights each other and they all think they pick their opponent. Another sad byproduct of Floyd.

Look at Tysons first 30 or Chavez's first 40 or Monzons first 50. So this practice is certainly not new.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IamInuit

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing

Wilder fought far too many easy fights before he got to world level. Mormally when they bring a prospect along they feed them journeymen but they'll gradually up the level of journeymen. One guy will be extremely durable, another guy will be a mover, a braler, counterpuncher and so on. Eventually normally a fight or so before world level they'll put the prospect in with a puncher. Wilder just fought garbage up until Stiverne so yes is still miles away from a finished product. He's getting away with it due to his size and power but he's still making tons of elementary mistakes, going straight back with his hands down and so on.

You've got to figure that there's at least the Ukrainian cabbage farmer and maybe one or two others who can expose him. He's getting big ratings for Haymon Boxing Club though without fighting anybody meaningful so they'll probably keep it that way for a while. If I was Haymon I'd really not want to be putting him in with Povetkin anytime soon.

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That is true but for me it has more to do on what he's not doing now that he has arrived and the fact that the division is so weak makes it all the more difficult to understand. That is why I have concluded that for him its more about the marketing and selling the smoke and mirrors then it is about fighting but in fairness its not just him doing it. Look at the welter div. Its deep and nobody fights each other and they all think they pick their opponent. Another sad byproduct of Floyd.

Look at Tysons first 30 or Chavez's first 40 or Monzons first 50. So this practice is certainly not new.

---

Yet "look at Marciano's first 35" is used against him. :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IamInuit

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing

Wilder fought far too many easy fights before he got to world level. Mormally when they bring a prospect along they feed them journeymen but they'll gradually up the level of journeymen. One guy will be extremely durable, another guy will be a mover, a braler, counterpuncher and so on. Eventually normally a fight or so before world level they'll put the prospect in with a puncher. Wilder just fought garbage up until Stiverne so yes is still miles away from a finished product. He's getting away with it due to his size and power but he's still making tons of elementary mistakes, going straight back with his hands down and so on.

You've got to figure that there's at least the Ukrainian cabbage farmer and maybe one or two others who can expose him. He's getting big ratings for Haymon Boxing Club though without fighting anybody meaningful so they'll probably keep it that way for a while. If I was Haymon I'd really not want to be putting him in with Povetkin anytime soon.

---

That is true but for me it has more to do on what he's not doing now that he has arrived and the fact that the division is so weak makes it all the more difficult to understand. That is why I have concluded that for him its more about the marketing and selling the smoke and mirrors then it is about fighting but in fairness its not just him doing it. Look at the welter div. Its deep and nobody fights each other and they all think they pick their opponent. Another sad byproduct of Floyd.

Look at Tysons first 30 or Chavez's first 40 or Monzons first 50. So this practice is certainly not new.

---

Haymon has an American world heavyweight champion which is a massive advantage when he's trying to make casual and new boxing fans tune into his PBC enterprise. Haymon will be quite happy to keep the smoke and mirrors going for as long as possible if Wilder can keep getting knockouts of marginally credible guys.

As far as mass popularity with boxing goes there's the old saw that there's the heavyweights and then there's everything else. Wilder is such a big selling point for Haymon that he can continue picking up nice cheques for knocking over marginal contenders for the forseeable future.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IamInuit

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing

Wilder fought far too many easy fights before he got to world level. Mormally when they bring a prospect along they feed them journeymen but they'll gradually up the level of journeymen. One guy will be extremely durable, another guy will be a mover, a braler, counterpuncher and so on. Eventually normally a fight or so before world level they'll put the prospect in with a puncher. Wilder just fought garbage up until Stiverne so yes is still miles away from a finished product. He's getting away with it due to his size and power but he's still making tons of elementary mistakes, going straight back with his hands down and so on.

You've got to figure that there's at least the Ukrainian cabbage farmer and maybe one or two others who can expose him. He's getting big ratings for Haymon Boxing Club though without fighting anybody meaningful so they'll probably keep it that way for a while. If I was Haymon I'd really not want to be putting him in with Povetkin anytime soon.

---

That is true but for me it has more to do on what he's not doing now that he has arrived and the fact that the division is so weak makes it all the more difficult to understand. That is why I have concluded that for him its more about the marketing and selling the smoke and mirrors then it is about fighting but in fairness its not just him doing it. Look at the welter div. Its deep and nobody fights each other and they all think they pick their opponent. Another sad byproduct of Floyd.

Look at Tysons first 30 or Chavez's first 40 or Monzons first 50. So this practice is certainly not new.

---

Haymon has an American world heavyweight champion which is a massive advantage when he's trying to make casual and new boxing fans tune into his PBC enterprise. Haymon will be quite happy to keep the smoke and mirrors going for as long as possible if Wilder can keep getting knockouts of marginally credible guys.

As far as mass popularity with boxing goes there's the old saw that there's the heavyweights and then there's everything else. Wilder is such a big selling point for Haymon that he can continue picking up nice cheques for knocking over marginal contenders for the forseeable future.

---

Be interesting to see how they attempt to get out of facing Povetkin and if there is a purse bid I cant see Haymon winning the venue. Wilder may have to defend in Russia.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IamInuit

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing

Wilder fought far too many easy fights before he got to world level. Mormally when they bring a prospect along they feed them journeymen but they'll gradually up the level of journeymen. One guy will be extremely durable, another guy will be a mover, a braler, counterpuncher and so on. Eventually normally a fight or so before world level they'll put the prospect in with a puncher. Wilder just fought garbage up until Stiverne so yes is still miles away from a finished product. He's getting away with it due to his size and power but he's still making tons of elementary mistakes, going straight back with his hands down and so on.

You've got to figure that there's at least the Ukrainian cabbage farmer and maybe one or two others who can expose him. He's getting big ratings for Haymon Boxing Club though without fighting anybody meaningful so they'll probably keep it that way for a while. If I was Haymon I'd really not want to be putting him in with Povetkin anytime soon.

---

That is true but for me it has more to do on what he's not doing now that he has arrived and the fact that the division is so weak makes it all the more difficult to understand. That is why I have concluded that for him its more about the marketing and selling the smoke and mirrors then it is about fighting but in fairness its not just him doing it. Look at the welter div. Its deep and nobody fights each other and they all think they pick their opponent. Another sad byproduct of Floyd.

Look at Tysons first 30 or Chavez's first 40 or Monzons first 50. So this practice is certainly not new.

---

Haymon has an American world heavyweight champion which is a massive advantage when he's trying to make casual and new boxing fans tune into his PBC enterprise. Haymon will be quite happy to keep the smoke and mirrors going for as long as possible if Wilder can keep getting knockouts of marginally credible guys.

As far as mass popularity with boxing goes there's the old saw that there's the heavyweights and then there's everything else. Wilder is such a big selling point for Haymon that he can continue picking up nice cheques for knocking over marginal contenders for the forseeable future.

---

Holy Smoke! You mean there's a money side to boxing?

He looks the exact same swinging for the fences and swaying around as he did 15,16 fights ago bombing out Lt heavyweights. His power is real but his delivery system and foundation supporting the entire house is very flawed. Its not a hate thing or a bash Deontay thing, its just so glaringly obvious. He was literally swinging off his hips, he shoots a decent one-two but really lacks composed combination punching, he has a terrible habit of backing straight and 'opening' gloves and often when he loaded up late he is literally on one foot at the end. Dude was pushing off with his hips ffs. Wilder is a fantastic personality and wears it refreshingly on the sleeve, but we are talking about him like he is a prospect still learning on the job and needing time??? The guy calls himself a CHAMPION ffs...he is already at the dance...on the stage and has been hired for the position! You cannot and do not get to 'learn' or be excused for lack of preparation because you skated into a top position. We are talking "toughest fights and best win" in his 33 starts..records can be picked apart but I'm telling you man the vast majority who went on to amount to anything was facing far stiffer and deeper talent well before fight 33. The mentioned Lewis, Bowe, Holyfield, Tyson admittedly trucked in some obscure 'showcase' opponent in career the difference is they had top wins before even thinking about it. I really do think he is in danger of cocooning himself in his hometown, a comfort zone inside and outside of the ring with this level of competition just being handed to him. You cannot doubt his passion and fire but he is doing the. exact. same. thing as a champ that he was as a prospect and the longer he stagnates, more of his 'excitement' factor will be attributed to his vulnerabilities as much as his arsenal...that's not good. As a U.S champ I want a guy to aim high and demand better, kick in the door and get your arse into the mix. Put names in you mouth and camp on the front lawn of the recognized champ and insult his momma! Make the moment now son. Rant over ;D I need coffee.

Lol....told ya

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Deontay Wilder is on track to fight Alexander Povetkin, but the plan isn’t for that bout to take place next.

A person with knowledge of the plan told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday that the WBC heavyweight champion is likely to make one more optional defense in January 2016, then fight Povetkin afterward. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because discussing the plan publicly is unauthorized. It’s unclear if the sanctioning body will approve one more optional defense.

Povetkin, the WBC’s mandatory challenger, will take on Mariusz Wach in November and would thus be unavailable to fight in January. This plan would allow Wilder to stay active and get one more fight in before a massive step up to Povetkin.

Wilder (35-0, 34 KOs) made the second successful defense of his belt with an 11th-round TKO of Johann Duhaupas on Saturday. The Bronze Bomber had his eye closed in the fight and got some more rounds under his belt as he continues to grow in the division.

The 2008 Olympic bronze medalist won the title with an impressive performance against Bermane Stiverne in January, but his last two fights have come against much more modest competition. Wilder knocked out Eric Molina in June and many fans question whether he’s ready for the likes of Povetkin, a former heavyweight titleholder who was an Olympic gold medalist.

Povetkin, 36, has won three consecutive bouts since a loss to Wladimir Klitschko in 2013, victories over Carlos Takam, Manuel Charr and Mike Perez. The first-round KO of Perez this past summer made him the No. 1 contender.

If Wilder isn’t ready for the test now, one more fight will certainly help his development.

Alexander Povetkin, Deontay Wilder, heavyweight, News

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Deontay Wilder could return in January; fight vs. Alexander Povetkin to follow in ’16 | Boxingjunkie