Deontay Wilder (41-0-1, 40 KOs) has ascended. His knockout win over Dominic Breazeale (20-2, 18 KOs) on Saturday May 18, 2019 was a spectacular one.
This isn’t new for Wilder. For all of his technical flaws, he has the eraser–his right hand.
It took Wilder less than one full round to get his man out of there. The knockout was impressive for many reasons. For one, Breazeale managed to make it to the the seventh round when he took on current unified champion Anthony Joshua back in 2016. In terms of comparison, according to Breazeale, there is none.
“Anthony Joshua’s punching power is like getting slapped compared to Deontay’s power.”
Wilder should be praised profusely for his punching power, but that would be taking away from his moment. His victory over Breazeale was the ninth straight successful defense of his WBC crown.
He is now tied for fourth all-time for consecutive Heavyweight title defenses. He has joined an illustrious list that features some of the very best to put on a pair of boxing gloves including, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Muhammad Ali.
The Tuscaloosa, Alabama native has endured plenty throughout his career. From the constant doubt of his skills to the never ending questions on his level of opposition. Say what you want about Wilder, but he is truly a great fighter in the prime of his career.
Comparisons to the great Muhammad Ali will never be warranted. Ali is arguably the most accomplished athlete both inside and outside of the ring, regardless of the sport.
What Wilder represents is something entirely different. He has shaped his career in an unconventional manner. Many view him as a one-trick pony, and while that is a fair assessment, it is one helluva trick.
Wilder has become must-see television. An icon in the making, an all-time great in his own right. Defeating him will be no easy task, one can surmise that his title reign could last for a very long time.
All of the greats have era’s. Ali, Floyd Mayweather, Tyson etc. They all became the face of the sport. Unified Middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez currently holds that distinction, but for how much longer?
We could be entering the era of Deontay Wilder.
