No surprises were on offer at the weekend when the WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder 35-0 (34 KO) put in a solid performance, that perhaps still leaves more questions than answers though.
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In his fight against the WBC #11 ranked Johann Duhaupas 32-3 (20 KO) the American champion stopped the limited, but very brave Duhaupas, in the 11th round with a TKO stoppage win Saturday night at the packed Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
Unfortunately European based boxing fans were unable to watch the fight live due to the fact the normal channels passed up the viewing rights to televise the event, despite the fact ratings were massive in the USA where the show aired on prime time, network television, coast to coast.
In the squared circle it was left to the 3rd man in the ring referee Jack Reiss to call time on the fight in the 11th round, to spare the challenger from further brutal punishment.
The champion landed his trademark bombs, but at times perhaps looked a little crude and awkward in his delivery.
It could be argued that this is worrying to see against someone of the calibre of Duhaupas, traits best corrected if he is to face stiffer opponents in the future.
Wilder is still undefeated, but the honeymoon period as champion is over (at least it now should be) and boxing fans will be expecting to see him least face an opponent next who has the potential to test him.
As of yet, with the exception of Bermane Stiverne, there has not been many big names to test Deontay’s ability.
The jury is still a bit out, but with endorsements from David Haye recently who said Wilder was the hardest man to ever hit him when they sparred, there’s no doubt the ability is there – it just needs to be put to an acid test now.
The time is now at hand for Wilder to dare to be great and move to the next level and fight his mandatory challenger for his WBC heavyweight title, the dangerous Russian Alexander Povetkin, which will arguably be Wilder’s toughest test yet – and certainly will answer a lot of questions.
(Image credit: AP)
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