Stiverne to face Wilder

The most significant heavyweight matchup in the United States in a decade was formally announced on Saturday night. Hard-hitting WBC Heavyweight World Champion Bermane Stiverne (24-1-1, 21 KOs), of Las Vegas, is set to defend his title against unbeaten knockout specialist and mandatory challenger Deontay Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Jan. 17. The potentially explosive bout between the two big-punching heavyweights will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and be televised live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7p.m. PT).

The event is co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions and will feature undefeated IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz (28-0-1, 16 KOs) defending his belt against a challenger to be announced.

Looking forward to this

Same as Wheely, This is where we find out whether the big punching Wilder has any skills at all. Hopefully it gets picked up over here.

If he knocks out Stiverne I'd defo sit up and take notice. Looking forwards to this one. Wow, don't hear myself saying that about the HW div all that much!

Hope Wilder wins and keeps the hype train going.

I don't care much for either of them but Stiverne calling Wayne McCullough a drunken Irishman and a racist hasn't endeared me to him. McCullough is a tee totaler by the way.

I agree Strong, I seen that on Waynes fb. He is a tee totaler and a classy guy.

I hope Wilder takes his head off.

I think that this is potentially the most interesting fight out there in the heavy division. Stiverne did well (especially in the second fight) against the lumbering nipple and has proved he can go to war if necessary. Wilder on the other hand is exciting, crude, has big power but is pretty much untested. It's very possible that the first person with a punch to land one on him puts him on queer street. And for all those saying how they don't like Stiverne, let's not forget that Wilder has been arrested for domestic battery, so he's also no angel. Take your pick I guess! However - boxers aren't there to win a popularity contest.

Wilder is extremely exciting, which is EXACTLY what the heavy division needs. It is no secret that Wlad's stinker with Ibragimov at Madison Square Garden is the reason that he's not featured on US boxing tv shows much until recently. Everyone loves watching a big guy who can instill fear in his opponents, mainly because he is likely to smack them out of there within a couple of rounds. Can Wilder be that guy? I am yet to be convinced. If he can deal with a half-decent puncher and establish fighter in Stiverne, I may be converted.

However, I can see Stiverne being too experienced and clever for the crude Wilder. Whatever happens in the fight, I can almost promise that it won't go 12.

This is the problem with match making and bogus rankings, Wilder has fought absolutely nobody, found hardly anyone who punched back (when they did he was on his back side) and has never been past the 4th round. Stiverne while slow and static is strong, a decent boxer, has excellent power himself, accompanied with much much better technique plus he has a good chin. Just shrugged off Arreola's best shots (King stoppage was rubbish), i think Stiverne will take him out early then hopefully fight for the unified title after Wlad get's rid of Fury in the summer.

I really hope Wilder wipes Stiverne out. Stiverne is pretty average. It would be depressing if he represents the best of the rest.

Strongback wrote:Hope Wilder wins and keeps the hype train going.

I don't care much for either of them but Stiverne calling Wayne McCullough a drunken Irishman and a racist hasn't endeared me to him.  McCullough is a tee totaler by the way.

Yep, totally agree. Saw that spat develop on Twitter and, whilst not a fan of Wilder, I now want to see him knock that race-card-playing numpty's head off.

TopHat24/7 wrote:

Strongback wrote:Hope Wilder wins and keeps the hype train going.

I don't care much for either of them but Stiverne calling Wayne McCullough a drunken Irishman and a racist hasn't endeared me to him.  McCullough is a tee totaler by the way.

Yep, totally agree. Saw that spat develop on Twitter and, whilst not a fan of Wilder, I now want to see him knock that race-card-playing numpty's head off.

Have a heart, Duty is just a kid

catchweight wrote:I really hope Wilder wipes Stiverne out. Stiverne is pretty average. It would be depressing if he represents the best of the rest.

To be fair it would be depressing if either of them represent the best of the rest! On second thoughts you could apply that to Fury...and Pulev...and Price..and just about every other heavyweight contender at present.

great match up. Wilder by KO for me.

Fighting for the right to get beat by Wlad at some point in the next year or so. Can't wait!

Defo but neither beat Vlad, sadly. Best match up in so long for a HW title though. Genuine 50/50