By Edward Chaykovsky
Heavyweight puncher Deontay Wilder (30-0, 30KOs) is starting off the year with his toughest opponent to date, once beaten and very experienced Malik Scott (36-1). Wilder and Scott will battle in a WBC final eliminator on March 15th from the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Showtime will televise.
This time Wilder is facing a personal friend, which has left him with mixed emotions. Scott helped Wilder prepare for his December 2012 encounter with Kelvin Price and the two boxers celebrated after the victory.
“We get to start my come-out 2014 fight with Malik Scott,” Wilder said to the Tuscaloosa News. “Two top American heavyweights, one with a lot of skills and another with a lot of power. The nation is going to love this fight, the world is going to love this fight.”
“It's a different feeling right now, like, 'Dang, I've got to fight my friend.' But once we get in that ring and the bell sounds he isn't my friend anymore, and he feels the same way. The bell, once it sounds, I'm a different person.”


