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I've followed Deontay Wilder since he made his pro debut in '08. It's been tough to gauge how decent a fighter he is, since most of his fights end within 2 rounds and his competition has been dismal, at best.
Last night we learned a lot about this guy. We saw him against an opponent who didn't fold under pressure the first time he was hit. Firtha is a tough dude and came out with guns blazin' in the first round and made Wilder somewhat uncomfortable. However, beyond that, Firtha didn't have much to offer really. By round two he was barely throwing punches and seemed to be in survival mode for the remainder of the fight. The punches he did throw weren't very sharp and did little to dissuade the Bronze Bomber.
OK, let's talk about Wilder. I was disappointed. He doesn't have the look of boxer. His punches didn't look natural and fluid and it seemed like his muscular physique somewhat constricts the natural motion. He looks like more of a body builder than boxer.
He throws the jab with a side-arm motion so it's more a flick than a straight jab. His footwork and defense seem to be suspect as well.
Alright, let's talk about some of the pros. In an era where people frequently criticize a fighter's condition, Wilder is a specimen of peak physical condition. He's in tremendous shape and doesn't have an ounce of fat on him. Wilder is also super aggressive and his power is undeniable; he also has the "killer instinct" that many of his peers lack. Wilder likes landing the huge punch and knocking guys out.
That said, he is nowhere near a title shot IMO. He needs to despartely step it up against a credible opponent; someone like Boystov, Helenius, Mago, Wach, Dimitrenko. He hasn't fought anyone who has put up any semblance of resistance. He needs to be tested (more than once) before he gets into the ring with a top opponent like Wlad.
Last night we learned a lot about this guy. We saw him against an opponent who didn't fold under pressure the first time he was hit. Firtha is a tough dude and came out with guns blazin' in the first round and made Wilder somewhat uncomfortable. However, beyond that, Firtha didn't have much to offer really. By round two he was barely throwing punches and seemed to be in survival mode for the remainder of the fight. The punches he did throw weren't very sharp and did little to dissuade the Bronze Bomber.
OK, let's talk about Wilder. I was disappointed. He doesn't have the look of boxer. His punches didn't look natural and fluid and it seemed like his muscular physique somewhat constricts the natural motion. He looks like more of a body builder than boxer.
He throws the jab with a side-arm motion so it's more a flick than a straight jab. His footwork and defense seem to be suspect as well.
Alright, let's talk about some of the pros. In an era where people frequently criticize a fighter's condition, Wilder is a specimen of peak physical condition. He's in tremendous shape and doesn't have an ounce of fat on him. Wilder is also super aggressive and his power is undeniable; he also has the "killer instinct" that many of his peers lack. Wilder likes landing the huge punch and knocking guys out.
That said, he is nowhere near a title shot IMO. He needs to despartely step it up against a credible opponent; someone like Boystov, Helenius, Mago, Wach, Dimitrenko. He hasn't fought anyone who has put up any semblance of resistance. He needs to be tested (more than once) before he gets into the ring with a top opponent like Wlad.
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