How long will Wilder-Stiverne last?

[TitoFan]

Enjoyable fight.
Stiverne did very well, this fight asks more questions than it answers for Wilder.

Oh hogwash!

Can Wilder take a shot? Check.
Can Wilder go a full 12 rounds? Check.
Can Wilder prevail against a higher level of opposition? Check.
Can Wilder show some improvement over his early comical wildness? Check.
Can Wilder maintain his focus after someone walks through his power shots? Check.

What else do you want?

Miss less punches, fight some his own size, not get gassed half way through a round, keep his hands up.
If a few of stivernes punches connected it would of been a different story tonight.

Fighters who are tall are always going to look awkward, and he has some power, but he did not look natural and was far from dominating.

Why would a tall fighter 'keep his hands up' against a shorter fighter using a tall guard?

LOL..... 'cause that's the standard, "cookie-cutter" criticism to make when you have no other constructive observations.



Have you been listening to Jim 'I don't like how low his hands are' Watt too much?

...... and we all know Jim's boxing pedigree and knowledge of the art of defense.

Good post, @AdamGB . See my comments above.

I thought Wilder exhibited a good defense plan against Stiverne. During the first part of the fight he kept Stiverne at the end of his jab, establishing distance. When Stiverne did get in, Wilder did put his hands up, avoiding any flush shots while Stiverne was still fresh. Later in the fight, when Wilder had figured out Stiverne's timing (or lack thereof), he used head movement to move out of the way of Stiverne's few left hooks. Toward the end of the fight, when Wilder's power punches had pretty much drained the energy and fight out of Stiverne, yes.... Deontay would lean close to Bermane on the ropes, bobbing and weaving his head and looking for a good shot.

I'm not saying Wilder is necessarily Wlad-ready. Wlad is an old fox with too many tricks up his sleeve, and he's not above using any means necessary, legal or otherwise, to protect his chin and win the fight. But I thought Wilder acquitted himself quite well last night. IMO, he answered plenty of questions. Those who thought he was just a chinny, lanky HW waiting for the first bomb to fall so he could crumble in a heap (a group which may have included me at some point).... were proven wrong. He boxed.... he paced himself through 12 rounds..... he didn't punch himself out in a desperate effort that could have jeopardized him.... etc. Hats off to Stiverne for that stainless steel chin he's got, but he did get rocked, and he did get dropped.

Wilder went from never having gone past 4 rounds, to going 12 rounds and winning a wide UD against one of the HW champions of the world. But apparently for some people, nothing will ever be enough.