By Jake Donovan
Deontay Wilder knows better than to look past the opponent immediately in front of him, but it doesn't mean he can't admire what's happening around his career.
The unbeaten heavyweight champ has already begun preparation for his September 26 showdown with France's Johann Duhaupas. The bout takes place at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center (BJCC) in Birmingham, Alabama, with NBC to televise live in primetime as part of its Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) series.
One month later, World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko defends his crown versus unbeaten mandatory challenger Tyson Fury in Dusseldorf, Germany.
For now, Wilder's plans are to take care of business in September, and then grab a ringside seat for an upfront view of the competition that awaits.
"I like that fight. It's gonna be a great fight," believes Wilder (34-0, 33KOs), whose upcoming bout with Duhauapas marks the second defense of the title he won earlier this year. "I can definitely see that fight going both ways. "I can see Tyson winning... I can see Wladimir winning. It depends on what game strategy both will have and who will be the better man at the end of the night.
"It's definitely an interesting fight. It's a fight between two tall guys - one that's been a champion for a long time, the other undefeated who wants to feel the glory of being a champion. When you have guys fighting for a title and they not in it for the money part but for the glory, you know they're gonna bring it. They gonna bring everything and the kitchen sink, the refrigerator and all the food that's in it."
That same mentality is why Wilder didn't take any time to celebrate his previous homecoming—a 9th round knockout of Eric Molina in June, which also took place in Birmingham. Instead, the 29-year old heavyweight—who turns 30 two days prior to Klitschko-Fury—went straight into training camp, even without knowing his next opponent.
Naturally, with Wilder and Klitschko both heavy favorites to win their upcoming bouts, fans can't help but wonder if the two fights will lead to a head-on collission at some point in 2016. Wilder has repeatedly to a showdown with Klitschko as "not "if" but when it will happen."
That could change, of course, should Fury manage to unseat the long-reigning heavyweight kingpin. If that were to happen and given the bad blood between Wilder and Fury, such a fight would have no trouble selling itself.
All of it goes a long way towards Wilder anxiously embracing the upcoming fall schedule.
"I'm looking forward to that fight and the outcome. What happens in that fight, dictates what happens in my career too, as long as I continue to be successful and claim victory (on September 26)."
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com.
Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Facebook Page: JakeBScene