Isn’t It Time to Give Deontay Wilder the Respect He Deserves?

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By Roy “The Body Snatcher” Skillen

I don’t think there has ever been a Heavyweight Champion that splits fans opinions like Deontay Wilder. Of course, there have been outrageous personalities that have drawn hate for the way they act or the things they say but, if you look at the likes of Mike Tyson or Muhammad Ali, there was never any question surrounding their ability.

Wilder on the other hand has had technique critics from day one, with many experts saying he lacks the fundamental skills to even set foot in the ring never mind being the WBC Heavyweight Champion of the world. But, despite the criticism, the man keeps on producing and after another spectacular knockout is it time for the public to give to give him the credit he probably deserves?

There is no doubting that he was losing the fight when he threw the arrow straight right to the chin of Luis Ortiz in the 7th round of their bout recently in Las Vegas. But, that alone shouldn’t be a mark against his performance. In a previous article I was guilty of parroting some the technical issues that the likes of Teddy Atlas and Paulie Malignaggi often like to tell the world about Wilder. But are his technical frailties really an issue?

Against Ortiz he was being out pointed, but in return he was calm and collected. He pawed away with his left distracting Ortiz and taking his time. He did throw a few wild shots but on the whole, he was very clever and selective, saving his energy for the right moment. He worked the body at times before pushing his opponent in to the position he needed and unleashing a straight right that went through the Ortiz guard and sent him crashing to the ground.

People might see it as a lucky escape, but when you have that much power and you know that you don’t have the skills to out busy and out box your opponent it makes perfect sense to take your time and set up the power punch and on this occasion Wilder did it perfectly.

There are bigger tests to come of course. The re-match with Tyson Fury will now surely happen in February and I think Wilder will knock out The Gypsy King. Will that set up a trilogy fight with the current lineal champion or will he go on to face his good friend Andy Ruiz, JR.? A man who will get inside the pawing left and a man whose pressure could cause the most problems for Wilder.

Whoever he faces next surely even the most hardened “Bronze Bomber” haters will have to start giving the big man the respect his career ultimately deserves.

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