He's fighting Chris Koval next week, according to boxrec.
I know it's just boxrec, but there seems to be a pattern of finding opponents a week before a fight, like they just call guys out at the last minute.
If not that, why the pattern. Why can't they ever announce an opponent more than a week and a half out.
Koval is pretty weak. On paper, he has more fights and wins than most of Wilder's opponents, but he's 1-6 in his last 7 including 5 by stoppage, and he's been KO/TKOd 6 times in 8 losses.
Moreover, this information is for testing purposes only, but he picked up an indefinite suspension 3 fights ago against Travis Kaufman by the Pennsylvania commission, and didn't fight for 15 months afterward.
I really like Wilder, but it's hard to be a fan of his based on his 20 fight career of horrendous matchmaking.
My email to Wilder's manager - Jay Deas:
Hayes has been inactive since 2007 and has never fought at heavyweight before and he's lost his last 5 fights.
Also, he's fought mostly at light heavyweight, but he's had fights at middleweight, super-middleweight and one at cruiserweight.
Why is Wilder being matched up against such sub par competition? He's more than capable and has the talent to be fighting much more durable opponents like Dominic Guinn, Vinny Maddalone, Kendrick Releford, Robert Hawkins, et al..
Frankly, you guys are doing a vast disservice to him but matching him up against certified bums.
Regards,
Burt
Jay Deas response:
hi burt, thanks for your interest in deontay. this is the first ive heard the name marlon hayes. i was/am under the impression deontay is fighting chris koval (25-8). we also approved eleisier castillo. i havent heard that koval pulled out but ill check into it. i don't know anything about hayes, though i'd never call any boxer a bum. as you can tell by deontay's record, we've stepped him up and of the boxrec top 20 american heavyweights, deontay is number 20. the records of deontay's opponents are better than the records of most of the other guys in the top 20. in other words, deontay's first 20 opponents have a better record than the first 20 opponents of eddie chambers (#1), tony thompson (#2), seth mitchell, oliver mccall, michael grant, and on and on and on. just fyi. thanks, j
Looks like they managed to find an even worse opponent.
Now he's apparantly fighting Marlon Hayes (according to boxrec), who's a former middleweight-light heavyweight who hasn't had a bout in 3 and a half years, has never even fought as a heavyweight (his highest weight is 197 in his last fight), and is 23-10, but 3-10 over his last 13 and lost his last 5.
Looks like they managed to find an even worse opponent.
Now he's apparantly fighting Marlon Hayes (according to boxrec), who's a former middleweight-light heavyweight who hasn't had a bout in 3 and a half years, has never even fought as a heavyweight (his highest weight is 197 in his last fight), and is 23-10, but 3-10 over his last 13 and lost his last 5.
They have done a great job at completely failing to capitalize on his Olympic success and turning him into a no-name.
If they thought that Wilder could eventually score a big fight after building up an undefeated record based on the fact that he is an undefeated American heavyweight, they should think again. He has no marketability at this point because nobody has heard of him in over 3 years.
Koval was knocked out by Tye Fields in one round 4 years ago, which speaks much of his (lack of) ability. Then again he managed to knock Dimitrenko down 7 years ago. Terrific choice of opposition.
So you're saying someone like Kevin Johson or Ray Austin wouldn't be a credible opponent for Wilder?
He needs to step up and face someone who can actually fight. No excuses.
It was a joke, mate.
All of Deontay's credible opponents are in the NBA. That's why he hasn't stepped up yet.
So you're saying someone like Kevin Johson or Ray Austin wouldn't be a credible opponent for Wilder?
He needs to step up and face someone who can actually fight. No excuses.
Even though I he's fighting a bum I'm still excited for it because I'll be at the fight :boxing:
agreed bro, i'm looking forward to seeing him along with the other fighters on the card. disappointing though, the guy should be challenging himself, all that talk he gave in interviews after his last fight about how "2012 will be a good year", doesn't look like it from this...
I like that guys raggedy nike sneakers.
He was going for the Tyson, no socks, black shoes look. Which doesn't have quite the same effect when you're 1000 lbs and look like the spokesman for the Heart Attack Grill.
http://cdn.blisstree.com/files/2012/02/heart-attack-grill-640x456.jpg
I emailed him.
dude is going to ruin his career.
That's how I see it.
A bunch of KO wins against nobodies, that doesn't mean anything at all once he faces somebody who can fight back even a little.
Not how I want to see it go, but it is more and more looking like writing on the wall, pretty much.
This is just silly now. Why not go for somebody like Raphael Butler or Vinny Maddalone? I guess he's just holding back until the Klitschkos start to fade and will start fighting contenders when they're gone.