Heavyweight contender Deontay Wilder, a 27-year-old rising star with a 32-fight knockout streak, is stepping up in competition on January 17. Wilder will get a chance to fight for the WBC title against Bermane Stiverne on Showtime, in what is believed to be his toughest test by far.
Wilder has an opportunity to make the United States relevant again in boxing's top division; the last American titleholder was Shannon Briggs in 2007. While many doubt Wilder's actual ability because of the weak opposition he's faced, the man nicknamed the "Bronze Bomber" is expecting to make quick work of the champ.
The heavyweight division is definitely back after I win this. People are going to be dealing with someone who brings excitement and charisma and somebody that can make them laugh. I'm going to give them the 'oohs' and the 'ahhs' that they've been looking for and that's what Deontay Wilder is going to bring back to boxing and the heavyweight division," Wilder said.
Stiverne has faced greater competition than Wilder, owning two straight victories over ex-champion Chris Arreola, but that hasn't deterred any trash talk from the undefeated up-and-comer.
"It's gonna be a knockout, man. This is going to be a knockout. I predict a second round knockout but I guarantee that it's not going past four. I guarantee you that. There's a lot of bad blood between us. The thing about it is that I'm the most dangerous when I have something personal against you. Now I really want to hurt you. I feel like nothing that you bring to the table is gonna affect me," Wilder said.
"No matter how hard you hit, no matter how confident you are and no matter how much you try to bully me or out-tough me, it's not gonna work. It's just not gonna work. So it's definitely going to be a knockout. When I do what I say that I'm going to do, I know that I'm not going to get all of my full credit for doing it. But God is still good and as long as they keep on talking about me, man, then I'm in. That's how I feel."
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