Save the Date

Wilder has shown some serious punching power

Most casual boxing fans only care about one thing; the heavyweight division.  Heavyweights always seem to draw in more fans because at any second there is the chance to see a brutal knockout.  Also historically it has been a division filled with polarizing stars like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson who both captured the attention of the boxing world.  Since the retirement of Tyson, American boxing fans have been waiting for the next U.S. star and on January 17th those fans will find out if that star is Deontay Wilder.

Wilder has been impressive as a professional putting together a record of 32-0 with an unbelievable 32 knockouts.  While his power cannot be questioned other aspects of his game can.  Wilder has been fighting a string of average fighters at best and has never been tested by a top heavyweight.  Sometimes Wilder can get one dimensional and just look for the power punch and he has also been backed up by some good punches by some not so good fighters.  The good news is that all the questions surrounding just how good, or bad, Wilder is will be answered on the 17th of January.

On January 17th Wilder will get in the ring with his first real opponent; Bermane Stiverne.  Stiverne is a legitimate top five heavyweight and is ranked as high as number two by some.  Not only is Stiverne a good boxer but he also has a ton of power and will really be able to test the chin of Wilder.  While Wilder's power has looked extraordinary it has come against sub par opposition so fans will also learn just how strong he actually is when he takes on Stiverne who can certainly take a punch.  

Getting passed Stiverne will lead to Klitschko

The reason Wilder could be the next American heavyweight star is because of his punching power, if its real, and his size.  The current gatekeeper of the heavyweight division is 6'6'' Wladimir Klitschko.  Klitschko has had an easy time with smaller fighters recently but has shown a weak chin in the past.  Wilder stands 6'7'' and if his power is really as good as it has looked he may be the man who can finally beat Klitschko.

Many people say that boxing is a dieing sport but those are people who aren't very familiar with the sport.  To them boxing is only about the heavyweight division.  While there are many good heavyweights right now, the division is lacking an American star who could breath life back into the division.  If Wilder proves himself to be the real deal on January 17th it would do a lot for boxing in the U.S. and would lead to a massive showdown with Klitschko for the heavyweight crown.