Bernstein on Wilder, Stiverne, Fury, Jennings, Santa Cruz

By Ben Jacobs

Esteemed broadcaster Al Bernstein will once again be calling the action on Showtime this Saturday night when Deontay Wilder challenges Bermane Stiverne for the WBC heavyweight title.  The affable Bernstein gave his thoughts on the main event as well as the chief support in a BoxingScene interview conducted on Tuesday afternoon.  Bernstein has also witnessed many of Tyson Fury's fights from ringside following several guest roles on UK television station Channel 5 which has covered Fury in the past.  As such, he cast an expert view on possible fights later in the year as well as touching on some other topics.

BoxingScene:  Is this the biggest buzz for a heavyweight fight that you have experienced in a long while?

Al Bernstein:  In the United States, yes.  Obviously in Europe many heavyweight fights generate interest.  It started I think when [Cris] Arreola and Stiverne fought and Stiverne won a portion of the title.  It was an exciting fight, seen on ESPN and it peaked the interest.  Wilder fighting Stiverne adds to the whole situation.

BoxingScene:  Is part of the big interest that people want to see if Wilder is the real deal?  And if he does win and look good, people might think he can beat Wladimir Klitschko?

Al Bernstein:  Yes.  What people want now are exciting heavyweight fights and US fans want people to root for.  I think it's important that Klitschko is coming here to fight Bryant Jennings, he'll engage the fans here.  Obviously Wilder is American, he won the bronze medal and he's a tall, prototypical heavyweight with lots of power.  That's the stuff we know about him but on Saturday we're going to find out more because Bermane Stiverne is the real deal.  He's a very good fighter.  If Wilder should beat him no one should diminish that victory.  But it's a tough fight.

BoxingScene:  Have you noticed a shift this week in the online opinion?  People seem to be leaning towards Stiverne.

Al Bernstein:  The questions are out there about Wilder, he's never gone past four rounds, his level of opposition hasn't been terrific, plus the fact Stiverne has fought better competition and threw over 900 punches in the first Arreola fight.  This fight could go either way.  What makes this fight intriguing to me is that we'll get answers about both fighters.

BoxingScene:  If Bryant Jennings fights Klitschko could he give him a run for his money?

Al Bernstein:  It's a tough physical match-up for Jennings.  That's the problem.  Wladimir has such big advantages in terms of height and reach and the way he fights.  We're waiting for Klitschko to get old, in his last fight he looked great but in the one before he was a bit frail around the edges.

BoxingScene:  What did you make of Tyson Fury in the Dereck Chisora rematch and do you believe Wladimir will fight him? 

Al Bernstein:  Well, the thing about the Klischkos is they have fought mostly everybody that they could fight but I think Tyson Fury should get a chance, there's no reason why not.  One of the things that makes him fascinating is his height and reach.  Let's say Wilder beats Stiverne, the question for Klitschko is, which fighter is bigger for him in terms of prestige or money or whatever.  I think it's a push either way.  There's no reason why Fury shouldn't get a title fight at this juncture.

BoxingScene:  Also on the bill is Leo Santa Cruz, he created a buzz for a while but are you disappointed he hasn't fought the likes of Scott Quigg or Carl Frampton?

Al Bernstein:  Well it's time for Leo Santa Cruz to step up and fight top competition.  After this fight he really needs to do that.  He needs to fight Quigg or Frampton or Rigondeaux or Abner Mares.  I love Quigg and Frampton.  I wish there could be more major fights in that division because it's a great weight class.

BoxingScene:  Do you see Kid Galahad entering that equation soon?

Al Bernstein:  Yes.  I've done a number of his fights, of course, on Channel 5.  I think he's right there with all these people.  When I first saw him a few years ago I wouldn't have thought that he would develop as quickly as he did.  He's a good, solid fighter.  There's no question he's a top 10 fighter in that weight class and he should be in that equation.

BoxingScene:  Do you think a Rigondeaux fight against one of the other champions is more likely now given his recent fight in Japan?

Al Bernstein:  Yes I do.  They might see him slipping a bit and it might make him more marketable to get in with.

BoxingScene:  Are there any particular match-ups, apart from the obvious one, that you 'd like to see this year?

Al Bernstein:  I would love to see Gennady Golovkin and Andre Ward fight.  I hope they can make the Carl Froch vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr fight.  I think Santa Cruz and Mares would be a really good fight too.  We all want to see Pacquiao and Mayweather, and who knows?  It could be headed in that direction.  If Matthysse fights Provodnikov that would be the most fun fight of the century!  That would be as good as it gets.

BoxingScene:  Do you have any forthcoming trips to the UK planned as you have covered many shows here?

Al Bernstein:  I don't at the moment but I would love to as I love being there.  Boxing in Great Britain is just excellent right now, on every level.  There are so many world rated fighters from there now, it's a great time for boxing there.