By James Slater: 25-year-old heavyweight prospect Deontay Wilder scored an impressive-looking 2nd-round stoppage over seasoned journeyman Damon Reed last night in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Beijing bronze medallist let loose with a barrage of lefts and rights as Reed was caught on the ropes, finally sending his man down with a hard right to the head. Reed remained on the canvas, unable to get up. The official time was one-minute and 59 seconds of the 2nd.
Wilder, known as “The Bronze Bomber,” is now 17-0 with all 17 of his wins coming inside the distance. 39-year-old Reed, who took James Toney the distance in his last fight, is now46-16(32).
Wilder took something approaching a step-up in class last night, going in with a guy who at least has experience and a winning record. And the man trained by former welterweight champ Mark Breland got the job done in style. Certainly Wilder sent the fans home happy.
“I gave the people what they wanted,” he said after the fight as quoted by The Birmingham News. “They wanted to see a knockout. I gave them that tonight. I’m feeling like a champ. We’re always yelling out ‘next heavyweight champion of the world!’ We don’t just say it to say it. I really do, in the bottom of my heart feel I am the next heavyweight champion of the world.”
6’7” Wilder is definitely a talent worth following, but he has a whole lot left to do yet. Still learning and still growing physically, the approx 223-pounder (last night’s weight, Wilder’s heaviest yet as a pro) has thus far fought no-names or ageing journeymen like Reed. But time is on Wilder’s side at age 25, and there is no rush.
As with any young and unbeaten fighter, the biggest question mark surrounding Wilder is his ability to take a good shot to the chin. Barely hit in his near-three-year pro career, Wilder has had just one scare so far: back when Harold Sconiers decked him in their October 2010 clash. Was that just a little experience-gaining speed bump, or has Wilder got a suspect chin? Time will tell.
We do know, though, that Wilder is athletic, fast and a hard worker in the gym. Along with Seth Mitchell, Wilder is most likely America’s most promising up-and-coming big man. “Dangerous” Damon Reed would almost certainly agree.