Deontay Wilder to be analyst for Joshua-Breazeale fight on Saturday

By Boxing News - 06/21/2016 - Comments

Image: Deontay Wilder to be analyst for Joshua-Breazeale fight on Saturday

By Allan Fox: In what has to be seen as Showtime looking to create interested in a unification fight between WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and IBF champion Anthony Joshua, Wilder will be working as a guest analyst this Saturday night on June 25 for Joshua’s title defense against Dominic Breazeale on Showtime.

A match between Joshua and Wilder would be a huge fight and would likely bring in tremendous ratings both in the U.S an in the UK. It would be a shot in the arm of adrenalin for Showtime and Premier Boxing Champions having that fight take place.

Wilder hasn’t been taking on big names since he won the WBC title against Bermane Stiverne last year. If he can take on Joshua, I would be a huge fight that could wind up on PPV depending on the interest.

The Joshua vs. Breazeale start time is at 11:00 pm. ET/8:00 p.m. PT.

The 30-year-old Wilder will give commentary on the Joshua-Breazeale clash before and after the fight. This is Joshua’s first fight on Showtime as part of his multi-fight contract with them. Joshua’s title defense against Breazeale will be taking place in England at the O2 Arena in London. The fight is a big deal in the UK, as it’s sold out the O2 completely.

This will be Joshua’s first defense of his IBF title he won last April with a 2nd round knockout victory over American Charles Martin. It was an easy fight for Joshua, as he smashed Martin quickly. On Saturday, Joshua will be looking to win his 17th consecutive fight by knockout.

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More important than knocking out his opponent, Joshua needs the win to keep moving forward towards unification fights against Deontay Wilder and IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Those are big money fights for Joshua, and important matches for his legacy.

At 6’7”, Breazeale has the height to give the 6’6” Joshua some problems in this fight if he can get his shots off before he starts getting clobbered. Breazeale can’t afford to wait around before letting his hands go because he’ll be taken out quickly if he doesn’t start throwing punches immediately.

The Joshua vs. Breazeale fight is sure to be watched by a lot of boxing fans in the U.S on Showtime due to the welterweight fight between WBA 147lb champion Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter taking place two hours before the Joshua-Breazeale fight at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.