by David P. Greisman

Camille Estephan is not the first person to raise doubts about Deontay Wilder’s career. It’s understandable that Estephan would want to diminish Wilder, given that a fighter he manages, heavyweight titleholder Bermane Stiverne, will defend against Wilder on Jan. 17 on Showtime.

“32 and 0, 32 knockouts. Against who?” Estephan said on a Dec. 18 conference call. “We believe this is a choreographed career. Very, very well done. Good job. I believe Wilder will quickly realize that fighting at this level is a whole different universe. By then it will be too late for him.”

Wilder’s best opponents have been Sergey Liakhovich, the faded former titleholder who was left seizing on the canvas in August 2013; and Malik Scott, who went down from a left hook and right hand this past March.

Stiverne’s best wins have come over Chris Arreola, once by decision in April 2013 and once by technical knockout in May 2014. He is 24-1-1 with 21 KOs.

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