Photos by Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing
Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) made a statement tonight in Brooklyn, as he pummeled former champion Bermane Stiverne (25-3, 21 KOs).
The ferocious beat down lasted only one round, but in Stiverne’s shoes, it must’ve lasted an eternity. Coming into the fight, there were doubts on how well Stiverne would perform under the bright lights. Stiverne had not been in a high profile bout since his first defeat at the hands of the “Bronze Bomber.”
The bout opened with Wilder immediately establishing his stiff jab, while Stiverne delivered his best impressions of a heavy bag. At the midway point of the bout, Wilder landed a flush one-two combo through the Stiverne guard and down he went. The former champion rose to his feet, but the outcome already seemed inevitable.
Stiverne would fall to the canvas two more times until the referee called a halt to the bout with only one second remaining in the first.
“It takes a lot of courage and heart to step in the ring,” said Wilder. “My respect and prayers go out to Stiverne.”
It’s no surprise by any means to see Wilder retain his title. The WBC champ was lucky to find an opponent to close out the year after a few opponents tested positive for PED’s, most recently Luis Ortiz.
The fight that has most boxing fans salivating is the fight with the unified champion, Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs). When asked about the prospect of fighting Joshua, Wilder never hesitated.
“I just want to prove that I am the best,” said Wilder. “The world wants to that fight. The king doesn’t chase peasants. I’m the king. The world wants this fight. Come and see me and let’s see who’s the best.”
With both fighters having defended their titles, barring any mandatory challenges from the respective commissions, it looks like 2018 may offer an elite Heavyweight showdown.
WOW. #WilderStiverne2 pic.twitter.com/txoKNlrcgS
— RoundByRoundBoxing (@RBRBoxing) November 5, 2017
