By no means am I comparing Deontay Wilder to Iron Mike Tyson.
However, from start to finish, this whole fight event against Dominic Breazeale. From the controversial build up to the wait and anticipation of the unexpected, to the explosive and devastating, yet quick finish, had the feel of a classic Mike Tyson event of old.
In the Barclays Centre, which seems to now be the new mecca, taking over from Madison Square garden, although in its extreme infancy in comparison. But already has housed several major boxing events.
The crowd came off their feet after just 2 minutes of the first round, when Wilder unleashed a crushing right hand to send Breazeale to the canvas. Forcing the ref to call the fight off as Breazeale staggered to his feet, but not beating the 10 count.
With that knockout, Wilder becomes the 10th heavyweight boxer in history, joining the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Fraser and Mike Tyson to make 9 or more successful title defences.
I compared the situation to Mike Tyson as this event had a bit of everything. Previous to the bout being made.
The bad blood between the two, was due to an altercation, where Breazeale claimed he was attacked by Wilder and his entourage in front of his wife in a hotel in Alabama. Hours after Wilder’s 5th round knockout of Gerald Washington in February 2107.
Since this time, the two had been exchanging verbal assaults at each other. It was inevitable the fight would be made and in the build up. Both were spitting fire, however, i did think Wilder took it to far with his infamous remark of saying he wanted “a body” on his record.
Fast forward to the bout and it was all over in the first round. After just two minutes, when Wilder detonated a sledgehammer of the right hand to lay Breazeale out. But that was not before Wilder had backed up Breazeale with another superb over hand right, and in fight or flight mode.
Breazeale caught Wilder with his own right, that seemed to unsettle and stagger Wilder momentarily, in an exciting exchange of punches before the finish came.
Another Tyson comparison is after the knockout. Which was Wilder’s 40th in his career. Some where disappointed at the early finish, after waiting so long to see the main event. However, the sheer explosiveness of the finish, had them marvelling in its excitement which was similar to a throwback of the heavyweight division of old.
What that devastating knockout did, was put Wilder back in the elite position in the heavyweight division.
It also piles pressure of Anthony Joshua, who took seven rounds to dispatch Breazeale, and Tyson Fury, who was scheduled to rematch Wilder after their split decision draw, which everyone knows Fury actually won.
Wilder dodged a bullet in that fight, but after, did claim he had broken his arm in the build up, which needed surgery and hampered his progress and possibly his performance.
Such is the excitement these three boxers has brought back to the division, the public has demanded they all fight. Wilder and Fury showed it could be done, despite the controversial outcome, it was a thrilling bout that will no doubt, go down in history. It’s time now for AJ to step up.
Credited his scheduled bout with Jerrell Miller looked an interesting one, with Miller who talked well, being an unknown but exciting enigma at that level. But his drug taking put paid to his chances and if you believe rumours. Luis Ortiz turned down a lucrative offer.
So Andy Ruiz steps into the limelight. The not aesthetically pleasing boxer, with a record of 32 wins, 21 knockouts and one defeat to Joseph Parker by unanimous decision. Has not really got the public excited in AJ’s American debut.
But Joshua knows he was to win in impressive fashion. Looking good doing it, or the critics will be sharpening their claws.
This adding to the fact that Fury opted out the rematch with Wilder and choose to fight German Tom Schwarz, who is undefeated but much like Andy Ruiz, does not have any names on his record to get you excited.
The only good thing is this fight takes place two weeks after the Joshua fight. So all three heavyweights would have fought within four weeks of each other, which to be honest, is great for future fight prospects.
You would think now that after these bouts. These fighters have nowhere else to go. Especially Anthony Joshua. I fully expect after the Ruiz bout, for him to announce or call out Wilder.
It’s the only fight that can be made now, it’s the only fight anyone wants to see, and the only fight everyone will be interested in Joshua and Wilder having next.
I fully understand all three fighters must have anxiety about losing to one and another. However, first and foremost. Belts or not. None of these can call themselves the best until they prove it against each other.
Secondly, I don’t see why they cannot have a whole faze, just like the Ali, Fraser, Foreman era, where they have several fights against each other.
They do not want to mirror the Holyfield, Bowe and Lewis era, where Lewis and Bowe failed to fight and it deprived that era of a true memorable threesome, Even though Holyfield had memorable bouts with Bowe and Lewis.
With Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. I feel the heavyweight division are on the cusp of something really special.
I mean real history making. You can see all three boxers are writing themselves in heavyweight boxing folklore. However, the fights need to happen sooner rather then later, as it could go from being one of the most memorable era’s in heavyweight boxing history, to the most disappointing era ever.
I believe all three boxers know, are aware of and believe this. All are at the top of their sport and in their primes, so ego also plays a huge part.
So ego alone will not allow them to avoid each other for very long. That, combined with the massive public demand. Makes it inevitable that they will be fighting soon.
I am fully expecting a bout either at the end of this year or early 2020. Where Joshua v Wilder is announced. Ideally, the winner to fight the winner of Fury v Ortiz. Obviously this is in an ideal world.
Although and unfortunately we do not live in an ideal world, but we do live in a world of hope, and hopefully, despite the various issues with different tv stations, promotors, A side and B side arguments, money splits and pay per view agreements. In the coming months and years, we are heading for a heavyweight boxing treat. Lets just all pray to the boxing Gods.
