Deontay Wilder Ready To Rumble in Russia
Deontay Wilder Ready To Rumble in Russia
After pledging to defend his WBC heavyweight title against anyone, anywhere, Deontae Wilder will face Alexander Povetkin in Russia on May 21.
By Kendrick E. Johnson
Deontay Wilder is a man who is all about keeping promises.
Before he started boxing professionally he promised his then one-year old daughter Naieya who was born with the congenital disorder spina bifida he would eventually become heavyweight champion of the world. Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) fulfilled his promise to her last January by out boxing and dethroning Bermane Stiverne as the WBC titleholder.
After beating Stiverne, the champion knockout artist made another promise. To be a fighting champion who defends his title against anyone, anytime and anywhere.
With Russian boxing promoter Andrey Ryabinsky of World of Boxing winning the purse bid to promote Wilder’s next fight against Russina heavyweight contender Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs). Wilder will be forced to keep that promise, as the fight is scheduled to take place in Russia more than likely on May 21.
Wilder told Floboxing.TV in an exclusive one-on-one interview his thoughts on having to go into enemy territory for his next title defense:
Despite Povetkin being a former world champion and having home ring advantage to compliment his decorated amateur background. Team Wilder is more than ready to prove to the world their up for the challenge despite the deck being stacked against them.
“The fact Deontay is going to Russia as the man as a champion is a big thing people keep overlooking in this situation,” Jay Deas, Wilder’s co-manager and co-trainer told FloBoxing. “Physically we got a lot of advantages, as Deontay is younger and has the advantage in height, length and speed. But Povetkin is tremendous fighter with an outstanding resume who we will be ready for.”
After destroying Szpilka with a scintillating ninth round knockout to kick off his 2016, Wilder will be hard press to come up with a duplicate performance. Instead of trying to match that, Wilder wants Povetkin and future opponents to take notes.
“I want all the fighters be in shape and train hard when they fight me because I don’t play games when I’m in the ring,” Wilder said. “My message for Povetkin is simple. I’m looking to hurt you and knock you out – while still looking over you and praying for you to be ok. There’s nothing personal about it for me, because this is a business and my business is to hurt people while remaining heavyweight champion of the world.”
Deontay Wilder is a man who is all about keeping promises.
Before he started boxing professionally he promised his then one-year old daughter Naieya who was born with the congenital disorder spina bifida he would eventually become heavyweight champion of the world. Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) fulfilled his promise to her last January by out boxing and dethroning Bermane Stiverne as the WBC titleholder.
After beating Stiverne, the champion knockout artist made another promise. To be a fighting champion who defends his title against anyone, anytime and anywhere.
With Russian boxing promoter Andrey Ryabinsky of World of Boxing winning the purse bid to promote Wilder’s next fight against Russina heavyweight contender Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs). Wilder will be forced to keep that promise, as the fight is scheduled to take place in Russia more than likely on May 21.
Wilder told Floboxing.TV in an exclusive one-on-one interview his thoughts on having to go into enemy territory for his next title defense:
I’ve been wanting to fight [Povetkin] for a long time because this was a fight that was supposed to happen years ago. Now that it is finally here, I’m ready to go. I’ve been talking about it for years, to be a true world champion you don’t just defend your title in your country you defend it all over the world. I’m excited to go to Russia and defend my title - it’s going to be a great fight and I’m looking forward to becoming a road warrior. I’m coming to gain some more fans in Russia and get my 36th knockout.Since beating Stiverne, Wilder has made three successful title defenses by knocking out Eric Molina and Johann Duhaupas in his home state of Alabama and Polish fighter Artur Szpilka in January at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. The Szpilka knockout was so brutal, there’s a good chance it will be in the running for the 2016 “Knockout of The Year Award” in boxing circles at year’s end.
Despite Povetkin being a former world champion and having home ring advantage to compliment his decorated amateur background. Team Wilder is more than ready to prove to the world their up for the challenge despite the deck being stacked against them.
“The fact Deontay is going to Russia as the man as a champion is a big thing people keep overlooking in this situation,” Jay Deas, Wilder’s co-manager and co-trainer told FloBoxing. “Physically we got a lot of advantages, as Deontay is younger and has the advantage in height, length and speed. But Povetkin is tremendous fighter with an outstanding resume who we will be ready for.”
After destroying Szpilka with a scintillating ninth round knockout to kick off his 2016, Wilder will be hard press to come up with a duplicate performance. Instead of trying to match that, Wilder wants Povetkin and future opponents to take notes.
“I want all the fighters be in shape and train hard when they fight me because I don’t play games when I’m in the ring,” Wilder said. “My message for Povetkin is simple. I’m looking to hurt you and knock you out – while still looking over you and praying for you to be ok. There’s nothing personal about it for me, because this is a business and my business is to hurt people while remaining heavyweight champion of the world.”