As fight fans are sure to be aware, reigning WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder has been granted permission by the Mauricio Sulaiman-led organisation to make another voluntary defence while the whole Alexander Povetkin mess gets thoroughly investigated. Sulaiman wrote, in his official statement regarding the situation that saw the May 21st Wilder-Povetkin mandatory fight get called off (whether or not it has been called off for good remains to be seen) how Wilder, “has the right to make a voluntary defence of his title as reasonably soon as possible.”
So Wilder and his team now regroup after their wasted efforts at a training camp that saw preparations undertaken for what would have been, on paper, a very risky Russian assignment, and look ahead to voluntary defence number-four. Since winning the green belt with his most impressive display/win to date, a points win over Bermane Stiverne, “The Bronze Bomber” has seen off the challenge of one American fighter, in Eric Molina, and two European fighters, in Johann Duhaupas of France and Artur Szpilka of Poland. Fans are now asking, who will Wilder pick for his next freebie.
The current WBC top-15 heavyweights reads as follows:
1: Alexander Povetkin
2: Bermane Stiverne
3: Kubrat Pulev
4: Johann Duhaupas
5: Carlos Takam
6: Joseph Parker
7: Andy Ruiz
8: David Haye
9: Bryant Jennings
10: Malik Scott
11: Artur Szpilka
12: Eric Molina
13: Dereck Chisora
14: Ruslan Chagaev
15: Gerald Washington
Obviously Povetkin, Duhaupas, Scott, Szpilka and Molina are out, as too, likely, are Takam (just lost to Parker), Parker (just signed to fight Solomon Haumono) and Chagaev (has to defend his recently re-awarded WBA belt against Fres Oquendo). That leaves Stiverne, in what would be a rematch that might sell, Pulev, Ruiz, Haye (although unlikely, unless Haye wishes to forget all about fighting Shannon Briggs in that much maligned fight pencilled in for September) Jennings, Chisora and Washington.
Which of these seven fighters might Team-Wilder pick?
A Stiverne rematch looks unlikely to be the one, as Wilder, the thinking goes, wouldn’t be excited about going over old ground. Pulev would be a fine choice. Beaten only by Wladimir Klitschko, the strong Bulgarian is coming off a decent win over Chisora for the European title. Definitely a good test for Wilder.
Andy Ruiz, the unbeaten Mexican/American is a legit contender in the eyes of many and he can certainly fight. Would Ruiz feel ready to take a world title shot if it was offered to him this year? A Haye fight would be very interesting, not due to Haye’s recent performances, but because of the sparring session he and Wilder had a few years back. Who would win for real? Haye would add plenty of much needed credibility to his resume if he were to forget about Briggs and take on Wilder – but will Wilder take such a risky voluntary? Bryant Jennings is coming off a nasty stoppage loss to Luis Ortiz, but he remains a good fighter. Chisora is always colourful but he has seen better days; would the fans buy a Wilder-Chisora title fight? And that leaves Washington. Big, strong and unbeaten, the American might just be the challenger Wilder is looking for.
Of the available names in the WBC top-15, my money is on Wilder and his team picking either Jennings, Washington or maybe Ruiz. The fight I’d like to see Wilder take next from what is potentially available, is one with Haye. This fight could not fail to be fun.
