WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is still attempting to talk up his maligned PBC on NBC fight that takes place this Saturday night against little known Frenchman, Johann Duhaupas, although the rest of the world outside his Alabama backyard – where the fight takes place – seem not to care.
The Al Haymon advised fighter is under heavy fire from all quarters for the quality of the opposition he has selected since winning the belt in January against Bermane Stiverne, in what remains a career best performance – and as it stands today at time of writing [tuesday] no broadcaster in the UK has chosen to pick up the rights to screen Saturday’s clash with Duhaupas.
Wilder was rocked badly in his maiden defence back in June against school teacher, Eric Molina, although came on back to win the fight inside 9 rounds, making harder work of it all than one would have expected.
On that occasion the Wilder camp talked tough and told us how a 2nd tier fighter being gifted an “opportunity” is a dangerous fighter, attempting to insult the intelligence of the fans on that occasion by telling them black is white – and It’s much the same this time too, perhaps even more so.
“The reptiles are meant to be caught. There’s a lot of them that are extinct right now, but a Bronze Bomber, that’s a warrior and warriors live on forever and ever,” Wilder bizarrely and confusingly stated, referencing both his an Duhaupas’ ring monikers.
“I’m going to tame him real nice and maybe make him my pet.”
BJ Flores, who will be back behind the mic providing analyst duties on the night after his July loss Beibut Shumenov, also attempted to sell Duhaupas, calling him a ‘solid guy’ who ‘can go rounds,’ although other than flat out lying he couldn’t pretend this is a worthy defence for the WBC heavyweight champion.
“He should give Deontay a test. If Deontay does things right, there shouldn’t be a problem,” he said. “But that’s everything in heavyweight boxing. One punch can change things.”
Wilder must face mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin in January. Talks between the two camps have been ordered to commence next month. Povetkin first fights Mariusz Wach in Russia on November 4th.
Twitter @Undilutedpoison
