IT SEEMS like Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury III is now penciled for July 18 after Wilder opted to exercise the compulsory rematch option. The question on most people’s minds now is whether we can expect a different outcome as Wilder was totally outclassed in their second meeting.
Not Exposed. Speaking of that fight, some experts have gone so far as to say that Wilder was exposed in the rematch. I respectfully beg to differ with the experts. We already knew Wilder was a big puncher and nothing more. He had no decent technique. Wilder himself admitted as much by saying his opponents can be correct for 35 minutes, while he only has to be for one second.
His success was predicated on his knockout prowess and nothing more. But that’s not so say that’s an easy feat either. To be as successful as he was, punching power alone was not enough. He was pretty accurate too and had impeccable timing. Plus, he had to have the requisite stamina to carry his power deep into a fight.
But other than that, it’s safe to say nobody is going to mistake him for a Vasyl Lomachenko. When you say he was exposed, I don’t have a friggin’ idea what you are talking about, with all due respect. He was a one-trick pony for the whole world to see. He was always going for the knockout and it was just a matter of time before he was going to be outboxed and defeated.
Weight. Speaking of stamina, Wilder looked out of it by the third round. His excuse that he was tired after carrying around his 30-pound costume for 20 minutes before the fight started is ludicrous. Granted, it might have given him some discomfort, but it was his choice and at this level, you have no business fighting for a championship if you get tired after carrying some extra weight for a few minutes.
What I would like his team to ponder on—and I think this might be relevant—was his decision to bulk up to 231 pounds and come in at his heaviest for his career. He had achieved a nine-percent knockout ratio and knocked down Fury twice in their first fight. As the adage goes—if it ain’t broken, there was nothing to fix, right?
It was conceivable that all that extra weight on his upper body was what got him tired and winded, not the costume. So Deontay, get back to training, get your head on straight and ditch the costumes. If I were you, I would worry more about the very awkward, but quite prolific undisputed heavyweight champion in front of you who throws unorthodox punches from unexpected angles. Something tells me you are going to need more than that eraser of a right hand to have a chance come July.
And oh, I heard that George Foreman has offered to work with you and train you. Now, that’s an offer you should take. Ol’ George will definitely be giving sage advice on how not to get tired and still knock people out.
Last Round. It’s on a guy I’d happily play cornerman for any time, any place, my bff -- Dr. Oliver Baclig who recently celebrated his birthday. Cheers, bro!