By Ryan Maquinana
LOS ANGELES -- Bermane Stiverne was all smiles after capturing a piece of the heavyweight world title Saturday night at the Galen Center, but while he was mum on discussing future bouts, his trainer Don House already had one in mind.
“Bermane can beat Wladimir Klitschko,” House told BoxingScene.com after Stiverne stopped Chris Arreola in the sixth round.
Klitschko, who cuts an imposing figure at 6-foot-6, currently owns the WBA, IBO, IBF and WBO versions of the heavyweight title. He and rising contender Deontay Wilder (a half-inch taller at 6-6.5) could be next on the horizon for House’s fighter, who stands 6-2 but is prepared for any tall order.
“With a guy like Wladimir, and even Wilder, I like those tall guys because see, they’re used to punching down at little guys,” House said. “Bermane moves very well, and he’s very powerful downstairs. We’ll just break everything downstairs before they drop their hands and then move upstairs.”
House believes Stiverne can use his theoretical foes’ height advantages against them.
“Big guys, they’re easier to beat than when they’re your size because all of this (points to torso) is exposed,” the trainer said.” Chris is a big guy, too. I would love -- I would love to fight those guys.”
When asked how Stiverne would address the likelihood of Klitschko holding his fighter, House was blunt with his strategy.
“We’re stomping on toes. (Expletive) all that. … We’re going to get some fouls in there, just to let him know,” House said. “I don’t care if we gotta rough him up to make him fight fair. (If) you grab me and I hit you, you won’t be grabbing like that again.”
Klitschko will probably defend his belts against Kubrat Pulev in September, but House is hoping his fighter will get the next shot at the Ukrainian juggernaut.
“I’d like to see 30 days off, then come back because I’ve been hearing word that Wladimir wants to fight in September,” House said. “I think this is the perfect time to get at the old man whenever we can get him.”
Follow Ryan Maquinana on Twitter @RMaq28.
