Don't you think you guys are reading a bit too much into the Liakhovich fight? Sergei backed straight up into the ropes AND he kept his left hand down and well he paid the price for it.

Here's what I KNOW

Deontay is a good athlete
He has tremendous power
He has good fast hands

And that's about as far as it goes. How does he deliver that right cross if someone is preparing to counter him? Can he deliver that big power later in the fight? How do his legs hold up for 12 rounds? How's his chin? How does he deal with adversity? How does he deal with a fighter that doesn't wilt at the sight of him?

I want Wilder to be great, but he's got a lot of experience to make up before he's ready for a title shot. His size and reach may end up being something that's big trouble for Vitali, but that fight will never happen as Vitali will retire after fighting Stiverne. Wladimir is far more technical and has greatly improved his defense, IF Wilder can make his punches straighter, more accurate, and less telegraphed he might have a chance in a year or two.