By Gav Duthie: This site possibly more than any other has done much to promote the powerful but as yet untested Deontay Wilder 31-0 (31). We should find out by the end of the year if he is worth all the hype. Wilder’s title challenge against Haiti’s Bermaine Stiverne 24-1-1 (21) has been delayed due to a pinched nerve in Stiverne’s hand which means it is likely to take place in November/December 2014.
Use this time wisely Deontay. This article attempts to deliver a balanced view of what we’ve seen so far of the giant American and what he should be doing between now and his fight with Stiverne.
Inexperience
To be honest I really hope Deontay is as good as some people say he is. The heavyweight division could benefit from another Mike Tyson but at the moment Wilder is far from it. Despite winning all his fights by KO and fighting 31 times he has only boxed 54 rounds. That’s less than 5 twelve round fights.
Don’t get me wrong if the opponent is there to be knocked out then by all means do it. There’s no point in fighting rounds if the guy opposite you isn’t forcing you to.
Boxing Style
No matter who he’s been fighting if he’s knocking them all out he has power. He had a very short amateur career despite relative success in achieving a bronze medal in the Beijing Olympics. Many ex pro’s like Lennox Lewis have criticized him for keeping his left arm low and he also swings back when he detonates his powerful right hand so can be open to the overhand right or short left hook.
Seeing as he has been flawless in his pro career so far the only evidence of his technical limitations on film affecting him is against Russian amateur Evgenyi Romanov as he constantly tags Wilder with the overhand right before backing him onto the ropes and knocking him out. However using that to say he isn’t any good would be wrong. Vitaly Klitschko was knocked out by Pele Reid as a kick-boxer, Mike Tyson was beaten twice by Henry Tillman (more upsets). Amateur boxing doesn’t suit everyone but it certainly can help you develop the basic skills. Wilder has a strong jab but its a little bit concerning that maybe his power is overshadowing his lack of technique in other areas.
Another Fight?
If he has months between now and fighting Stiverne Golden Boy Promotions should get him in there with someone who can take a shot. It doesn’t need to be a superstar but simply someone who won’t crumble when he gets hit by a jab. I think if he fought some of the more experienced contenders who are looking for a big scalp to get another title shot then he could learn more than in his previous 31 fights.
Potential Opponents
Shannon Briggs 55-6-1 (48)
Briggs is 42 and on another comeback trail. He has won 4 fights since March and is looking for another title shot quickly. Say what you want about him but he is one tough customer. Stopped only once in a brutal toe-to-toe contest against Lennox Lewis he has also fought huge punchers like George Foreman and rallied to see the final bell when he fought Vitaly Klitschko in a one sided beat down after which he spent a week in hospital.
Oliver McCall 57-14 (37)
Oliver is in his fifty’s now but he has one of the bet chins in boxing history. Again his only stoppage loss was to Lewis but a bizarre one as rather than go down he just cried until the referee stepped in. Maybe you can question his heart but his ability to take a punch is right up there. McCall has still been quite competitive in 2014 as he even avenged a loss for his son Elijah McCall when he outpointed prospect Marcin Rekowski 15-1 (12) before losing in a rematch.
Fres Oquendo 37-8 (24)
Another 41 year old veteran, but Oquendo nearly won a world title in losing a majority decision to Ruslan Chagaev 33-2-1 (20). Again Oquendo has a wealth of experience as a heavyweight nearly man in fighting the likes of Evander Holyfield, James Toney and David Tua. Oquendo has a decent jab and will want at least one more crack at a title.
Tony Thompson 39-5 (26)
Thompson has been extremely active in the last couple of years with mixed results. He was recently outworked to a points defeat by Cameroon fighter Carlos Takam but has beaten Odlandier Solis, knocked out David Price twice and lost to Kubrat Pulev. What you have to respect is Thompson mixes with nothing but top 15 fighters. He has a good jab, intelligent boxing brain and a solid chin. Wladimir stopped him on both occasions and Price dropped him but if Wilder could knock him out I would be impressed.
Golden Boy promotions
The obvious concern in heavyweight boxing is to risk a tune up fight at this level and get knocked out. I think it would be more embarrassing however if he was to be exposed against Stiverne without being properly tested. If he was to step up against one of those four or someone similar and come through it then it might give his team something to work with if any limitations are found. It is unlikely that Wilder will go through his entire career knocking out top level opponents in round 1 so the sooner he gets his punches returned the quicker we will see how good he is.
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