Wilder Feels a KO of Stiverne Won't Satisfy All Critics

By Rick Reeno

Deontay Wilder (32-0, 32KOs) realizes that his level of competition is being frowned upon by many members of the media. On Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, he takes a big step up in competition when he challenges WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne (24-1-1, 21KOs), who himself if very critical of Wilder's abilities and his level of opposition.

While Wilder predicts a vicious knockout to capture the title, he believes some of the critics will not be satisfied and he expects them continue to doubt his abilities in the ring. 

"Everybody has their different opinions and everybody has their different minds of who they feel 'if you beat him then you got my full respect,'" Wilder explained to BoxingScene.com.

"Once I beat him, once I knock him out and do the unexpected - watch and see I guarantee you're going to find a few [who will say] 'oh was nothing, he was a bum' and all of this other crazy stuff. All I want if my full credit. I'm tired of seeing 'he's a test, he's a test.' Like with the Malik Scott thing. They said he's a test but then when I do the unexpected - all of sudden 'he took a dive because it didn't look like a real [knockout].' How about you get in the ring and let me show you."