By Vadim Pushkin
In less than a month, WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (35-0, 34KOs) will make third defense of his world title.
Wilder captured the title in January with a twelve round unanimous decision over Bermane Stiverne. Almost a year to the date, on January 16th at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Wilder will defend his belt against Polish contender Artur Szpilka.
The fight is taking place on a few weeks notice after Wilder's orginal opponent, Czar Glazkov, withdrew from discussions to pursue an IBF title shot.
Retired heavyweight contender Johnathon Banks, who trains former champion Wladimir Klitschko and durable contender Dillian Whyte, says the flow of the entire contest will depend on the durability of Szpilka's chin.
If Wilder starts firing and Szpilka starts crumbling, Banks predicts that it could be a quick fight. But if Szpilka is able to withstand the champion's power, then we could be in store for a treat. Szpilka had been down in several fights and he was stopped last year by Bryant Jennings.
"I remember the fight between Szpilka and Bryant Jennings.. [The fight] depends on whether or not [Szpilka] can survive after a heavy punch. If he gets hit on the chin and he doesn't not fall, we may have a very good fight. If not - the fight will be short. Deontay throws a lot of punches, and he doesn't stop until his opponent goes down", said Banks to Polish media.