Deontay Wilder bulking up for Alexander Povetkin fight

By Boxing News - 04/26/2016 - Comments

1-wilderszpilka (5)By Scott Gilfoid: WBC heavyweight champion Deontay “Bronze Bomber” Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) is bulking up for his title defense against Russian Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) on May 21 at the Khodynka Palace in Moscow, Russia.

Deontay, who routinely weighs in approximately 228lbs for his fights, now wants to bulk up to 250lbs. He wants to gain 20 pounds partially to help his game and the other part for his image. The 6’7” Deontay likes the idea of being in the neighborhood of 250. Deontay started his career at just 207 pounds in 2008 after winning a bronze medal in the Olympics that year.

Wilder has since gained 20 pounds in eight years as a pro. Now he wants to gain another 20 pounds in a short period of time rather than doing it slowly. Deontay says he started training camp at close to 240lbs.

“I’m a solid 235. My goal was to be 245,” said Deontay to Thaboxingvoice.com. “Before I started camp, I was nearly 240. I got room for 250. I’m at a point in my career where I want to look the part and be the part just to see what it looks like and feels like. I’ve been looking good in sparring. Some of the guys I’ve brought in from previous camps, sparring partners, they can tell the difference. Between the weight, especially when we tie in close, I can’t wait to display it in the ring. Mostly I’m just putting on weight for the image. I’ve been doing incredible with what I’ve been working with [in the past]. I don’t believe I have to be so big to have power because power is in the hips and technique. I’ve got the highest ratio of knockouts in the heavyweight division, period. It’s just for image [gaining weight]. It may benefit me in other areas, especially if we do clinch up and I put my body weight down,” said Deontay.

I hope Deontay isn’t trying to copy what IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has done in bulking up from the 220s to 245 in just two years since he turned pro. Joshua is slow on his feet and doesn’t have the hand speed or the mobility that Deontay possesses. Joshua is more of a flat-footed body builder type of fighter than a guy with the speed and agility that Deontay has. I think it would be a mistake if Deontay tried to bulk up like Joshua.

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I think it would slow Deontay down like it has Joshua and turn him into a guy that pushes his punch instead of throwing them with speed and snap. Deontay doesn’t need a lot of muscle weight to beat a limited small guy like the 6’2” Povetkin. Wilder can beat him just by jabbing, landing pot shot right hands an tying him up the way that Wlladimir Klitschko did in his easy 12 round decision win over him from 2013.

In speaking about his haters, Deontay said “You’re either with me or against me. If you’re against me, you’re going to look stupid while I’m winning.”