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Photo by Esther Lin
I must say the trash talking leading up to this fight has been glorious. Bermane Stiverne and Deontay Wilder’s confidence and digs at each other have given this fight the competitive edge and interest it needs to revive the heavyweight division.
Stiverne basically claims he’s going to ether his opponent, vowing, “After this fight you will never ever hear about Deontay Wilder.” He also addresses Wilder directly saying, “This is a real fight and this belt is staying right here in my home town. You’re going to get hurt, the worst thing you did was have me take you seriously, and I’m taking you seriously.”
Even having sat all 32 of his opponents down for a nap, Wilder knows this is a test for him and he says he’s ready:
“When I do the unexpected, I don’t want you all to degrade this man, Stiverne. I don’t want anyone to make excuses for my victory. Stick by your word. Let this be a test for me and watch me pass my test. I guarantee I will do it.”
Despite who wins tomorrow, both men will walk away with a nice paycheck. Wilder will receive $1 million, and Stiverne will take away a slightly smaller sum of $910,000 (per Boxing Scene). The purse is a heavyweight champ itself, but for the passionate fighter it’s about more than the money. Stiverne and Wilder are not there for the payday—they’re coming to earn respect and to take what each man believes is rightfully his. The competition doesn’t get much better than that.
