Deontay Wilder, who holds the WBC heavyweight championship, faces Bermane Stiverne on Saturday night at Barclays Center.
Wilder is 38-0 with 37 knockouts. The only opponent who went the distance with him is Stiverne, whom Wilder outpointed for the belt in 2015. Since, Wilder has stopped five others in defense of the title, but the fact that Stiverne was standing at the end of their previous bout has the champ "steamed."
Add that Stiverne has claimed many times he was not at peak health for that fight, and Wilder shakes his head in disgust.
"Stiverne was the only man to survive the 'Alabama Slammer' and avoid a knockout," the 32-year-old native of Tuscaloosa says. "When I knock him out, then nobody will be able to say they made it through against me. He was nothing but a lot of lumps and excuses after the first fight."
Stiverne, (25-2-1, 20 KOs), who turned 39 on Wednesday and hasn't fought in two years. He is stepping in for Luis Ortiz, who was disqualified by the sanctioning body when he had a positive drug test.
Rather than scared, Wilder sounds weary. He notes that the entire promotion of this fight has been on his shoulders. He's crisscrossed the country drumming up interest, and he's ready to finish his business for 2017 and get on with unification next year.
For that, Wilder adds, he can't wait.
"I've promised I will unify the heavyweight titles and I will," he says. "Those others, (Anthony) Joshua, have other plans. I don't think he has the motivation to unify. If that is his plan, then sign the deal. That's all it takes to make it happen. Next fight, we'll make it happen. But he doesn't want to fight me, period."
"This will be an electrifying fight. That belt isn't going anywhere. I will unify the division. I will be the undefeated, undisputed heavyweight champion of the world."
England's Joshua just stopped journeyman Carlos Takam in 10 not particularly impressive rounds to keep his WBA, IBO and IBF belts. The other heavyweight champ, Joseph Parker of New Zealand, owns the WBO crown. Wilder says boxing fans are confused about so many champions, and he is doing a service to the sport by unifying.
