Comments Thread For: Deontay Wilder Decisions Stiverne, Captures WBC Gold

[cuzzlo]

I'm afraid that's how it'll be in HW division - that height/physique will rule all. I mean, in how many fights did a guy like Valuev hide behind his height advantage? I'm not saying Valuev and Wilder should be compared, but fighting a guy that's 6'6"-7" with a freakish length is hell. Mike was able to minimize his height and reach disadvantages and working his way in with effective head movement and a peek-a-boo style. You don't see that anymore.

Congratulations to Wilder. He executed his job and got the title.

So true, any fighter less than 6'5 I think unless they have a style as good as Cus D'amato taught has no future in the Heavyweight Division, nor a legacy. Effective head movement, slipping shots and making an opponent pay or scared to miss therefore nullifying his game is essential for any shorter opponent. Plus a great head and body attack, fluid and fast combos. Add to that game changing power too.

Tyson, Patterson and Frazier all had these and it would have been impossible for them to achieve had they not. However, a good taller boxer puncher that can move effectively with fast hands or bludgeoning power will destroy them if they are lax or complacent..see Hearns v Duran, Tyson v Douglas, Frazier v Foreman 1 and 2. THE FUTURE OF THE SMALLER HEAVYWEIGHT IS OVER, or will only reignite via Cus' fundamentals.Maybe we need a Superheavy Div.

[Thutch2412]

Good W, I predicted Wilder Ko under 6, but figured as long as he kept his composure and kept Stiverne on the end of the jab itd be easy work. Doubt it would have mattered if Stiverne did anything else, Wilders jab was going to control that fight and it never took a rocket scientist to figure that out

logically i cant see how anyone picked stiverne, sure he beat arreola, but arreola is his own worst enemy, also, Wilders fought more guys with winning records, so whos rly the bum?

[richardt]

That was a perfect performance by Wilder who left no questions unanswered. My biggest concern was his stamina and later in the fight, he started to slow a bit but going 8 rounds past every fight he has had shows he is serious about conditioning. And if he can get at least 8 rounds in one of his next two fights, his stamina will be there. Like I said a couple days ago, the sky is the limit if he can keep develop stamina.

[Nomadic]

Good fight, they both came to impress. Wilder showed true grit.

[Francis M.]

Wilder did great... Showed power as usual. Great stamina, I didn't see wilder fade in work rate and still sharp to the last round.

[Spray_resistant]

Pretty unlikely outcome, it was suspenseful because either could have been ko'd at any time but a dull fight all in all.

Wilder has improved and did good work with the jab using his height. I still don't think his chin and stamina questions have been answered because it was a very slow pace and Stiverne didn't land flush with much frequency but from now on no more feasting on tomato cans for Deontay since he is a champion now so we will see how he does in time.

Stiverne looked especially bad last night I thought just trying to absorb punches and wait for counters with no plan B.

I look forward to seeing how Wilder progresses in the future and didn't watch the post fight interview but gather from the responses in this thread he wants to fight Fury. It sounds like a good fight and would love to see it.

[SkillspayBills]

Things Wilder has to work on:
1.Shots to the body he is the actual definition of a head hunter.
2.PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE develop a jab to the body. Goodness that one punch alone would bring him up another level.
3.It was your first 12 round fight so I noticed him taking a few rounds off. His jab would have no pop whatsoever one round and the next it would be back to snapping. This will improve with time.
4.Fighting with your hands down. Stop it. You have some great reflexes but Stiverne didn't even touch Wilder for about 4 rounds before he stopped using his guard and just trying to dodge punches.

He really does have a ton of potential to improve and most of all in this fight he SHOWED marked improvement with his punches.