The Winner and Why – Deontay Wilder
Photo by Tom Casino
I’m going out on a limb and giving Deontay Wilder the edge. It’s a risk not because he lacks the tools to win, but because he hasn’t faced strong enough competition for me to place complete confidence in him. But if there’s anything I’ve learned writing predictions for fights, it’s not to have too many conditions for the guy you’re picking to win.
If I were to pick Bermane Stiverne, there would be too many conditions. He would have to stay off the ropes, avoid headhunting, use his jab to the body, move around effectively, and the list goes on. This is not to say Stiverne is incapable of doing these things, but I have to go off what I see. Based on his last fight, Stiverne made a lot of mistakes that wouldn’t fare well against Wilder.
Is Wilder’s chin still a point of concern? Of course it is. However, the holes in Wilder’s game such as his hand positioning and defense are things I don’t believe will be tested until he goes up against someone closer in height, reach, and power. The holes just simply aren’t big enough for Stiverne to take advantage of.
The only way I see Stiverne winning is by out-boxing Wilder, though this is unlikely. I don’t imagine these two coming in the ring to box pretty. It’s going to be nasty, and I’m giving Wilder the edge. Fortunately for Stiverne, anything can happen in boxing so we certainly can’t count him out.
May the best man’s punch win.
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