Stiverne: I’m taking Wilder’s jab away

By Boxing News - 11/04/2017 - Comments

Image: Stiverne: I’m taking Wilder’s jab away

By Jim Dower: Former heavyweight champion Bermane ‘B-Ware’ Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs) says he’s going to take away the jab of WBC heavyweight champion Deontay “Bronze Bomber” Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs) in their rematch on Saturday night.

(Photo credit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME)

Wilder, 6’7”, was able to use his jab to control the fight with Stiverne in their previous bout 2 years ago. Stiverne says the only reason Wilder was able to land his jabs is because he allowed him to by standing directly in front of him the entire 12 round fight. On Saturday, Stiverne is going to neutralize Wilder’s jab, and take the fight to him to score an early knockout. Stiverne says he’s ready to go the distance if he has to.

“You got someone that threatens my life,” said Stiverne. “It’s not something I take lightly from anybody, whether it’s a joke or not. Anybody that is decent or strong, he’s not going to last. When he fought me, starting from round 6 to 12, he didn’t do much. Everything he did was in the first 6 rounds,” said Stiverne.

Wilder has threatened to end Stiverne’s life inside the ring in their rematch. Wilder seems to be talking in a threatening manner for the dual purpose of attracting interest from boxing fans in the fight, and to intimidate Stiverne. It’s a little late in the game for Wilder to be trying to attract interest in his rematch with Stiverne. The fight needed a little more promotion.

Wilder can’t singlehandedly get people excited in the fight, as the fans view the fight as a mismatch? Stiverne is a good fighter, but the way that he lost the last time against Wilder in 2015 has most boxing experts and fans dismissing him as having no chance of winning. That’s good news for Stiverne, considering it means he has no pressure on him in this fight. Stiverne has nothing to lose in this fight, since no one thinks he’s going to win.

”In his last fights, there was no progress,” said Stiverne. “He said he’s better, but I doubt it. We’ll find out on Saturday.”

Wilder has looked good at times in his five title defenses since winning the WBC strap, but he’s mostly looked beatable. Wilder hasn’t fought anyone good enough to expose his flaws in his game. It’s going to take one of these fighters to possibly beat Wilder: Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte, Alexander Povetkin, Joseph Parker, and Jarrell Miller.

Luis Ortiz would also be a big threat to Wilder. Wilder struggled in his last bout against Gerald Washington last February. Washington was getting the better of Wilder until he got caught and stopped in the 5th round. For the most part, Wilder’s power bails him out when he’s having problems.

”He landed his jabs because I stood right in front of him, because I allowed him to land the jab.” said Stiverne. ”That’s the plan, taking the jab away from him and taking my title back. There aren’t going to be no excuses. He says he fears for my life. You fear for my life, man? I don’t fear for you because I’m a killer. If that’s what it takes to take the title, then that’s what I’m going to do and I’m going to walk away with a smile. You caught me slipping last time, and I ain’t going to be slipping. On Saturday, I promise you I’m going to be a 2-time champion of the world. None of you’ll are going to be surprised,” said Stiverne.

YouTube video