Bermane Stiverne vs. Deontay Wilder
Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
Deontay Wilder is somehow the favorite here, despite beating absolutely no one of note.
Bermane Stiverne will have to work his way inside, while Wilder will do what he always does–throw bombs and try to rip through his man. Except Stiverne is on another level from anyone Wilder has fought. Not that it’s hard to be on another level from comatose.
Anyway, Stiverne is too seasoned and too skilled, and Wilder is simply too sloppy. Stiverne by knockout.
Prediction: Stiverne
Lauren Pinkerton, Staff Writer
This is one of those times where who I want to win and who I think will win are two different answers.
I want Deontay Wilder to win. I like the way he thinks and holds himself, and I think he makes a good icon for the stereotypical tough heavyweight boxer image. But his past career has set him up for failure in this fight.
His past opponents are arguably not of caliber with the expertise of Bermane Stiverne, and I think that’s really going to show. Wilder’s ultimate demise, however, is keeping those darn hands down! Whether it’s him being cocky or just actually forgetting where his gloves are supposed to be, it’s too much of a flaw to enable a win in this bout.
Stiverne’s no idiot, he’s going to work this to his advantage. I’m imagining a TKO somewhere in the earlier rounds.
Prediction: Stiverne
Zuri Lopez, Contributing Writer
This is definitely a fight to watch, I’m intrigued by both fighters and their size. Deontay Wilder has the athletic body and from what we’ve seen up to now, he should have the power to put Bermane Stiverne away.
But of course Stiverne is as dangerous as they come and he will be a force to reckon with. The winner of this fight is said to get a shot at Wladimir Klitschko and I would personally like to see Wilder dethrone him.
I think this fight will be an absolute war and both fighters will be tested on the night. Wilder will need to do what he does best and go after Stiverne from the first round. If this fight gets past the fourth round, Wilder is in trouble. Stiverne will respond with powerful counter punches, which are his expertise, but will also need to go to work early to the body.
I think this fight ends with a KO. I am going to have to go with Wilder.
Prediction: Wilder
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer
This Saturday we finally get a fight that is worth a mention in the once captivating, now mostly bland, heavyweight division. The first Haitian-born heavyweight champ, Bermane Stiverne seems focused on preparation more so than the pre-fight theatrics. On the other hand, his challenger, the WBC No. 1 ranked Deontay Wilder, has been more than vocal about taking the title and how he plans to do so to anyone within an earshot. However, I don’t think it will be as easy as Wilder has convinced himself it will be.
Wilder has good reason to be confident. He knows that he can change the course of any fight if he lands a hard shot. None of his opponents have ever made it out the fourth round, if they got that far. There’s always a catch; he hasn’t fought anyone worth bringing up. Seriously, the last time a “Bronze Bomber” fight had this kind of buzz was when he embarrassed some internet troll/boxing fraud for harassing him online.
That’s why I’m taking Stiverne. He’s got the edge in experience and he has more skills in his arsenal. Of course, this has to do with what we saw in the Chris Arreola fight. Stiverne proved he could box and could take a punch. The fight also exposed him; Arreola did his best work with Stiverne on the ropes. If Stiverne can keep Wilder in the middle of the ring without getting caught on the ropes this fight should be easy. Wilder has never really had to prove his mettle and Stiverne is the guy who can make him. Stiverne will get the TKO in Round 8.
Prediction: Stiverne
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Get your popcorn ready because for however long it lasts it’s going to be fun. I’m concerned with Deontay Wilder’s lack of world class competition, but I’m also concerned with how Bermane Stiverne seems to be willing to lay on the ropes.
Stiverne must start cautiously and take Wilder into the later rounds. Wilder should to what he always does, attack and don’t give up his height and catch Stiverne with one of his long bombs. I like Stiverne surviving some rough early patches and taking out Wilder in the mid rounds.
Prediction: Stiverne
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Everyone has that one annoying friend who always complains when Saturday night rolls around and instead of hitting the bar, you want to stay home and watch “boring boxing.” Well, call that friend up, tell him to bring a six pack of beer over, sit him down in front of the television and tell him not to blink.
This fight is what casual fans drool over. Two hard-hitting Heavyweights with disdain for another and an interest in scoring a huge knockout.
We all know the storyline by now, Deontay Wilder is the guy who has knocked everyone out, but nobody knows if he can take a punch. Stiverne is the battle-tested champion, but also the underdog.
As long as Stiverne doesn’t take his normal 15 minute coffee and donuts break on the ropes, I think he catches Wilder with something he’s never felt in the professional ranks, a real punch.
I will say this, Wilder’s best chance to win is to do what he does best, bum rush Stiverne early and try to land one of his patented slobberknockers. Here’s to hoping someone gets knocked out, at least to shut up that one friend.
Prediction: Stiverne
Porfirio Barron Jr., Photographer
Bermane Stiverne KO’s Deontay Wilder in the 10th round.
Prediction: Stiverne
Juan Carlos Galvez, Photographer
I’ve got Deontay Wilder with a fourth-round knockout.
Prediction: Stiverne
