By Cliff Rold

36-year old WBC Heavyweight titlist Bermane Stiverne (24-1-1, 21 KO) will defend against 29-year old mandatory challenger and 2008 U.S. Olympic Heavyweight Bronze Medalist Deontay Wilder (32-0, 32 KO) on January 17, 2015, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The fight was formally, and finally, announced Saturday night on Showtime Championship Boxing after months of speculation.

Speaking to Brian Kenny on the air, both men gave some early thoughts on the showdown.

“I done put in a lot of great work,” Wilder said.  “I promised my daughter when she was 1-years old…I would be Heavyweight Champion of the World.”  Stiverne wasn’t interested in Wilder’s promises.  ““It’s not about Deontay.  I am the Champion.”

Wilder knows this could be an opportunity for the Heavyweight division to capture some lacking American attention.  “This is going to be one of the most highly anticipated Heavyweight bouts in a long time,” he said looking ahead.  Stiverne spoke about the excitement of defending in the town he calls home.  “Coming in this arena as a champion; what better way is there to do it?”

Wilder addressed skeptics who wonder if a lacking resume will mean a lacking challenge.  “I’m ready to make all the unbelievers believers.”  Stiverne, when asked if he could be looking ahead to a potential unification match with the recognized top fighter in the class, WBA/IBF/WBO Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko, made clear his focus for now is solely on Wilder.

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com