WILDER CAPTURES WBC TITLE AND SHOWS HIS METTLE IN HOTLY ANTICIPATED CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN
A NEW ERA IN BOXING MAY BE EMERGING- HE LOOKS LIKE THE ONE
BY GABRIEL PRINCEWILL
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Deontey Wilder finally captured the WBC title vacated by Vitali Klitschko with a scintillating points victory against Birnede Stivens at the MGM grand center last night. It is the first time an American has won a version of the title since 2007 when Shannon Briggs briefly held the WBO title, and has the potential to rejuvenate the sport’s premiere division that has long been dying for an attractive star. Wilder who had previously knocked out all his previous 32 opponents answered lots of questions in going the distance for the first time and proved in the process that his punch resistance isn’t low at all. His dominant display over the former newly crowned heavyweight champion from Canada now puts him high u there on the map. His impressive triumph has now surely ushered a new era in heavyweight boxing, though it is still yet to be seen if he can defend the title successfully, and for how long.
”I answered a lot of questions tonight, a jubilant Wilder told reporters. I already knew I could go 12 rounds and take a punch. I am excited he added. I want to bring excitement back to the heavyweight division”.
After the fight, the defeated former champion, Binade Stivens said ” it felt like I was flat in the ring. I didn’t do what I know I can do. I couldn’t cut the ring, I couldn’t move my head as normal”.
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How could Stivens be surprised, he was up against Wilder who effectively disabled him from doing things he was accustomed to
doing in training and against other opponents.
Interestingly, Wilder’s achievement came on the 73rd birthday of Mohammed Ali who himself was a serious Icon in the 6o’s and 70’s, often referred as the glory days of boxing when the division was saturated with quality talent and the best always fought the best in order to earn the accolade of ‘best fighter on the planet’. Ali was a one off genius who captivated and mesmerized his audiences in his hay day, beating other greats like Sonny Liston and George Foreman in an illustrious career that saw him win the heavyweight title three times. After Ali graced the sport with his legendary attributes of excellent talking and fighting, Mike Tyson took over with his blueprint of brute force and intimidation that saw him become the youngest ever champion at 20, one who also excited the masses. Britain’s Lennox Lewis took over from Tyson in 1999 and dominated the division for five years before retiring and leaving a huge void in the sport. Despite the subsequent dominance of the Klitschko brothers, fans and experts alike have lamented the uninspiring state of the world’s traditionally most fashionable division- most have hoped an American would emerge and re-ignite the barren landscape of the big boys.
Then came Wilder with his perfect record of knock outs, the one problem being the quality of opposition he was being fed for most of his career. The consecutive string of knockout wins did certainly raise his appeal just as much as did attract criticism against him, but Wilder was always a explosive puncher deliberately being built up for the hype and controversy that would follow his every victory. At 6 ft 7 1/2- all muscles, he fitted the idyllic image of the division’s savior. Notwithstanding, short of a legitimate test, we could not fully embrace him, but he passed that test with flying colors last night before a massive audience in Las Vegas and the millions others watching on Showtime and via satellite around the world. Wilder started cautiously as usual, but once he got into gear showed how versatile he is in the ring. It might be a new dawn in boxing, though longevity is always the key when it comes to legacies. Already, Kingpin Wladimir Klitschko is waiting in the wings to unify the division and reclaim the belt his brother dumped for politics. Klitschko v Wilder will be a sell out whenever that happens. However, should Wilder lose to the experienced and reigning Klitschko, his party will be over. He is well advised to gain more experience at top level before facing Klitschko in order to maximize his chances of success. He has maintained his winning streak and proved his durability too. As things stand, this engaging and confident smooth talking American, might just be the injection the heavyweight division needs. He will henceforth need to keep the knock outs rolling though, if he is to be that dream come true for all fans.
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