BY TIM PARSONS
American WBC heavyweight champion, Deontey Wilder retained his world title belt with a crushing 9th round stoppage after a long struggle to dispose of his game opponent.
His polish rival who was bidding to become the first heavyweight champion from Poland was game from start to finish and highlighted his competence in the way he opposed Wilder up until the finishing point.
The fight seemed to be hanging in the balance for the entire duration of the nine rounds, with Wilder seemingly struggling to figure out how to dispach his determined opponent who came to win without any doubt whatsoever. Wilder never really looked in danger of getting knocked out, but the possibility of loosing his belt began to look real with each passing round. While the experience was very good for Wilder’s ring experience, it can clearly be stated that this opponent was tough and durable. The over 6 foot 7 inch Wilder knew within that his victory was not guaranteed in this fight and continued to try different strategies to bring a conclusive finish to this evenly contested match.
A large Polish contigent were in attendance in support of their man who provided a very spirited opposition against a man who had only gone the distance once in 35 fights. Any netral and unbiased observer would have concluded that these two men were of similar standards and abilities, as there wa svery little to separate the two fighters. When Wilder’s 9th round KO came, it was clinical and destructive. It was the better and right result for boxing fans because Wilder has that power and confidence that keeps his appeal very much alive.
Wilders post fight interview was interrupted by Tyson Fury who gatecrashed the show shouting ”there is only one Tyson Fury”, name the place, the time, anywhere”. Wilder came real close and personal in Fury’s space , saying make the date Tyson, make the date’.
The American, who moved to 36 wins and 35 knockouts against Szpilka, said: “I don’t play this. You should have been an actor.
“When we do step in the ring, this ain’t wrestling, this ain’t the WWE, baby.
“When you do step in this ring with me – if you do because this should’ve been done a long time ago – you can run around like you’re a preacher all that you want but when you step into that ring I promise you I will baptise you.”
The pair have been serious rivals for a while now, using twitter as a platform to vent their disapproval of each other. A fight between Wilder and Fury has long been brewing, but Fury must first honour a contractual rematch with Wladimir Klitschko whom he beat in Germany last November.
