Deontay Wilder Defeats Bermane Stiverne and Restores Credibility to American Heavyweight Boxing

By Doctor Ibrahim Hussain

There were many questions unanswered about Deontay Wilder, 33-0, 32 KO’s going into his WBC world heavyweight title challenge between with Bermane Stiverne, 24-2-1, 22 KO’s. Questions such as can he go 12 rounds or would he tire after a few? Can he take a shot? Would he leave himself open when throwing wild looping punches?

Let’s make no mistake Deontay Wilder has just won the WBC heavyweight championship of the world by beating a seasoned pro in Bermane Stiverne. He won by outboxing and outclassing Stiverne in a twelve round fight that will send clear messages to the other world title contenders, as well as the holder of the remaining heavyweight belts, Wladimir Klitschko.

Wilder started the fight showing excellent boxing skills with a long leading left foot and a stunningly sharp left jab. For the first half of the fight he kept his hands held high and showed excellent defense.
Wilder hit Stiverne with shots that were capable of knocking down houses, yet Stiverne showed that his chin was from another planet, taking the shots without going down. There are few heavyweight fighters who have shown themselves to have a chin of this caliber over the last half century.

Wilder dedicated the fight to Muhammad Ali and Martin Luther King,JR.which couldn’t have been more appropriate, given that this title challenge was shared with Muhammad Ali’s 73rd birthday.

I now have serious doubts as to whether Tyson Fury will be able to cope with Wilder’s bombs, since Wilder has shown he has the skill to compete with Tyson Fury.

As for Wladimir Klitschko, his most notable problems given by a challenger of recent times came from Pulev. Despite winning comprehensively, Klitschko had some difficulties coping with Pulev boxing off the back foot, similar to what Deontay did tonight. Deontay’s performance in the first half of this title fight showed a style that is likened to Sheffield boxing (Klitschko Boxing), which could pose the biggest test for Wladimir Klitschko and possibly overthrow the Ukrainian King.

For now America can hold its head up high once again in the most prestigious stage of world sport. Deontay Wilder is for real and the heavyweight world had better watch out!