Photo by Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing
On Saturday, January 16, 2016, Deontay Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) defended his WBC Heavweight title with a ninth-round knockout victory against Artur Szpilka (20-2, 15 KOs) in front of 12,668 boxing fans at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The event was televised on Showtime Championship Boxing in the U.S.
Wilder, 30, controlled the fight for much of the earlier rounds with a long jab and avoided most of Szpilka’s shots by moving around the ring, though on very long and awkward legs.
The Alabama native began landing right hands halfway through the fight, but Szpilka seemed to take them well. Spilka, a 26-year-old native of Poland, took more and more shots as the fight progressed, but his ability to take each punch increased his confidence.
By Rounds 6 and 7, Szpilka began tagging Wilder with quick shots, though he had a tough time closing the distance. It was in one such attempt to close the distance that Szpilka was hit with a counter right hand that immediately knocked him out.
A well-timed, counter right hand brutally knocks out Szpilka. #WilderSzpilka pic.twitter.com/VCjfd3ltZI
— RoundByRoundBoxing (@RBRBoxing) January 17, 2016
There was cause for concern as Szpilka laid motionless for several seconds, but his trainer, Ronnie Shields, assures that he is okay.
“He’s doing good. He’s awake and knows exactly where he is. He didn’t want to go to the hospital but he’s going as a precaution. It’s better safe than sorry,” said Shields.
Szpilka was probably Wilder’s most courageous opponent, but it cost him an ugly loss.
Wilder, for his part, was concerned, and shared his pre-fight rituals with Showtime’s Jim Gray.
“I always say two prayers,” Wilder said. “I say a team prayer and I say an individual prayer. I don’t want to hurt a man so he can’t go home to his family. We risk our lives every time we step in the ring. He’s definitely in my prayers and I hope he’s doing well.
Wilder did have some trouble with Sziplka’s crafty, southpaw style. Though he was not a top-ten contender, he was tagged a few times by the smaller challenger.
“He was definitely a crafty guy. I haven’t competed against a southpaw in three years. He was a tough competitor, but you’re fighting for a world title. It’s not supposed to be easy,” said Wilder.
After his dominant victory, Wilder may fight against his mandatory challenger, Alexander Povetkin. Wilder was confronted by Tyson Fury after his victory, but a fight with him seems less likely.
What do you think is next for Wilder? Let us know in the comments section below.
Header photo by Stephanie Trapp/Showtime Sports
