All photos by Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions
On Saturday, February 25, 2017, Premier Boxing Champions returned to Fox with a televised tripleheader from the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
Undefeated Heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs) knocked out Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington (18-1-1, 12 KOs) in the fifth round of the main event to the delight of his hometown crowd.
We also got to see tons of other action–both inside and outside of the ring.
Read on for five things we learned from Saturday night’s PBC on Fox fight card.
1. The Heavyweight Division Is on the Rise
In Saturday night’s headlining fight, Deontay Wilder knocked out Gerald Washington in the fifth round to retain his WBC heavyweight title.
Wilder was being out boxed for the first four rounds, but in the fifth round Wilder dropped Washington with his ever-powerful right hand and landed a left hand behind it, thus, Washington was badly hurt, and the fight was called to a stop.
This fight marked Wilder’s fifth title defense of his WBC crown.
In the past, the Heavyweight division of boxing was a staple in American sports. Memories of “Iron” Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Muhammad Ali still bring smiles to our faces.
I love hearing the replays of “Down goes Frazier, down goes Frazier!” from the The Sunshine Showdown between George Foreman and Joe Frazier as it delivers me to a time when Heavyweight boxing was the kingpin of American sports.
Instead however, I live in a time in which I am truly impressed if one of my friends can name more than two current Heavyweight boxers.
We endured the Wladimir Klitschko era and now we want our restitutions.
Maybe as American, I am bitter, but for a good reason. Klitschko’s extended reign, without a doubt, took the excitement out of the Heavyweight division, and we so desperately long to have it back.
This Heavyweight drought, however seems to be ending.
As Wilder explained previously, the Heavyweight division is experiencing resurgence and has become exciting once again.
“The Heavyweight division is very exciting and it got exciting again and a lot of things [are] going on,” said Wilder.
“The Heavyweight division is changing hands,” said Wilder. “Now that these belts are changing hands, everyone feels like they got this opportunity [and] they are the next champion.”
With an American Heavyweight holding the WBC heavyweight title, New Zealand’s Joseph Parker holding the WBO title and the UK’s young and talented, Anthony Joshua with the IBF title, the Heavyweight division is becoming something to really focus on once again.
All of the Heavyweight titles are truly out there for the taking by challengers and it seems every current title holder wants to unify to become the true undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world.
Heavyweight boxing is on the rise.
2. Power Is the Ultimate Equalizer
As seen on all three fights aired on PBC on Fox on Saturday night, true heavy puncher’s can be down on the cards, but they are never really out of the fight.
I spoke with Deontay Wilder previously during his post-fight press conference on January 16, 2016, after his devastating knockout of Artur Szpilka. During that press conference, Wilder said something about his power-puncher style that always stuck with me.
“I am still a dangerous fighter, we always say, we don’t know when it’s going to happen, but it is going to happen [and] when I crack you with that right hand you know things are going to happen,” said Wilder.
It was in the moment that I truly realized the mindset of a big puncher. When a boxer possesses true knockout power they understand that no matter how far down on the cards they are; they will always have an equalizer.
The first fight displayed on Saturday’s edition of PBC on Fox was Dominic Breazeale (18-1, 16 KOs) vs. previously unbeaten Izuagbe Ugonoh (17-1, 14 KOs). This was a competitive fight in which both fighters had their moments and dropped one another early in the bout.
Breazeale showed a ton of heart to come back from being dropped to the canvas in Round 4 and replied with a thunderous right hand knockout in the following round.
Jarrett Hurd also seemed to be down on points in his matchup against Tony Harrison until in the seventh round, when he wobbled Harrison, and his power seemed to equalize the matchup.
Hurd eventually stopped Harrison in the ninth round. In doing so, he showed that a boxer with big power in their hands is a true threat at all times.
In the main event, after being out boxed for the previous four rounds, Wilder dropped Gerald Washington in the fifth with his powerful right hand and Washington was badly hurt, and the fight was called to a stop.
Let this entire PBC on Fox card be a lesson in boxing; a boxer with true knockout power is never all the way out of a fight.
3. Jarrett Hurd Has the Heart of a Champion
As the co-main event for Saturday’s PBC on Fox telecast, Jarrett Hurd (20-0, 14 KOs) was originally scheduled to take on Tony Harrison (24-2, 20 KOs) in a Junior Middleweight title eliminator bout. That however changed when the IBF champion Jermall Charlo vacated his title to move up to Middleweight.
Thus, the Harrison and Hurd were promoted to title challengers and fought a 12-round championship bout for the vacant Junior Middleweight IBF belt.
Harrison seemed to have the edge early because he was out pointing Hurd by boxing him on the outside. With his speed giving him the edge and his jab keeping the distance; Harrison was frustrating Hurd.
It was in the seventh round however that Hurd landed a shot that wobbled Harrison and the tide began to change. Harrison, as he is known to do, eventually wore down and Hurd’s power sent him to the canvas in the ninth round. Harrison returned to his feet to make the referee’s 10-count where he then spit out his mouthpiece and the bout was stopped.
After the fight, Hurd explained his game plan. “We wanted to take our time with him, because Harrison can box and move. But every time he fights he wears down towards the end,” said Hurd.
Hurd was overjoyed with emotion as he received his first world title belt. “It feels great to be a champion. I’ve never had a feeling this great before.”
4. Deontay Wilder Wants to Unify
Deontay Wilder has been clear for years now that his goal is to become the undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world. Wilder explained on Saturday that the goal remains the same.
“As I’ve been saying, I’m looking to unify the division,” said Wilder. “I think it’s critical to have one fighter and one champion, and that’s Deontay Wilder.”
Wilder defeating Washington on Saturday night could set up a world-title unification bout later this year against New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, who was ringside to keep a watchful an eye on his next possible opponent.
Parker (22-0, 18 KOs), however, must first face his mandatory challenger Hughie Fury (20-0, 10 KOs), on May 6 in Auckland, New Zealand. It seems as though Parker also has his eyes set on a unification bout with Wilder later this year.
On May 6, Wilder should be watching Parker’s defense of his title against Fury with great interest.
An excited Wilder made the next step in his career very clear post fight. “Let’s hope Joseph Parker is ready for me because I’m definitely ready for him,” said Wilder. “I’m ready for Joseph Parker, but is he ready for me?” [Because] I did my business. Now it’s time for him to do his.”
5. Not So Sweet Home Alabama
According to TMZ, Deontay Wilder and Dominic Breazeale were involved in an altercation after their bouts on Saturday night.
The argument took place in the lobby of the Westin in Birmingham, Alabama after their victories earlier in the evening.
TMZ’s video seems like more chaos than actually fighting, however, TMZ indicated the situation did eventually get physical.
According to TMZ, cops eventually broke up the fight after it overflowed into the hotel parking lot.
Breazeale took to twitter to address the issue.
Well… So much for southern hospitality! After this new drama, perhaps a fight between Breazeale and Wilder could be on the horizon.
— Dominic Breazeale (@TroubleBoxing) February 26, 2017
