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Does Deontay Wilder still have enough to be a force in the heavyweight division?

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Author: Sean Crose

Deontay Wilder, former WBC world heavyweight champion, returns to the ring this Saturday, when he will face the popular and powerful Zhilei Zhang in the 12th round gala in Saudi Arabia. Wilder, considered by some to be the most powerful boxer his long and storied history has ever seen, will fight for the first time since his decision defeat to fellow former champion Joseph Parker last December. Indeed, Wilder’s strength is well documented. All but one of his 43 victories came within the distance. Moreover, Wilder defeated Tyson Fury multiple times in a draw in 2018, as well as in a rubber match in 2021 (which Fury subsequently won).

But what is left for 38-year-old Wilder? His three fights with Fury were hellish events. What’s more, the man looked nothing like he had when he fought Parker last winter. And while Parker certainly looked good and deserved his upset victory, it was strange to see Wilder in the ring so thoughtlessly. Parker undoubtedly employed a winning strategy, but it’s worth wondering whether something else was at play. Has Wilder shown signs of the decline of his career? Saturday’s fight should provide some answers.

In fact, Zhang should be tailor-made for Wilder. The Novel Jersey fighter (compared to China) is not the most mobile and speedy fighter in the world. The guy can punch though. Difficult. Very challenging. Perhaps not as challenging as Wilder, but challenging enough to take down opponent after opponent. BoxRec has an over 80% knockout rate for him. Zhang also knows how to put pressure on his enemies. If Wilder isn’t in top form, he could be in trouble next weekend. At least this fight has the makings of an thrilling affair.

If Wilder looks impressive on Saturday, it will be fascinating to see where he goes after his victory over Zhang – provided he deserves the win. Huge fights against the likes of Anthony Joshua and current undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk could be in order. And let’s face it, would fans REALLY mind a fourth fight with Fury? It wasn’t like the first three battles were uninteresting. Yet they left their mark on each man, and none of them became any younger. Perhaps in this particular case three was enough. However, no matter how things turn out, you can never say that Wilder didn’t keep things fascinating.

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Shawn Porter announces the Beterbiev vs. fight Bivol for Saturday

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Image: Bivol Expected to Return to Conservative Style Against Beterbiev

Shawn Porter believes Artur Beterbiev is too fight-weary to defeat a less-exhausted Dmitry Bivol this Saturday in their undisputed featherlight heavyweight championship on October 12 in Riyad.

Former welterweight champion Porter says the youth of 33-year-old Bivol (23-0, 12 KO) also counts in his favor against 39-year-old Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KO) in a 12-round fight. main event at Kingdom Arena.

WBA 175-pound champion Bivol had a habit of avoiding the most grueling fights possible, which is why he has fewer knockouts than Beterbiev. The downside to this safety-first approach to his career is that Bivol is less popular than IBF, WBC and WBO champion Beterbiev and isn’t talked about much.

“I can’t pick him right now, but if Bivol stands there and lands, then good night, Vienna,” coach Joe Gallagher said to Boxing newschoosing Dmitry Bivol instead of Artur Beterbiev.

“I choose Beterbiev, but only because I was in Vegas and talked to someone who sparred with him. He said, “Oh man, that guy. To spar four rounds with him is to fight 20 rounds. He’s like a monster,” said Regis Prograis. “He paired him and Bivol. He said: “Beterbiev is a killer, an absolute monster.” So I would lean towards Beterbiev.

Beterbiev’s power makes him a nightmare for anyone to spar with unless he can handle them easily. He is not the type of player who behaves lightly during sparring sessions, because then he gets nothing from them.

“I don’t see Beterbiev’s past, but Bivol’s quality is really good. Technically he’s really good,” said Paul Smith. “I think I saw Beterbiev up close a few times. I think I’m on Beterbiev’s side. I think he’ll get there eventually, but it’s by no means certain.”

“I think one thing in Bivol’s favor is that Beterbiev has had a few injuries and has just had a sedate injury that he’s coming back from. This could play a bit in Bivol’s favor,” said Otto Wallin.

“Bivol wins this fight. I think he has youth on his side,” Shawn Porter said. “The Beterbiev was a Mack truck running into smaller trucks and other gigantic trucks. These types of collisions will catch up with you at some point.

The only fights in which Beterbiev was booked were between Marcus Browne and Anthony Yard. He took a few shots in both fights, especially against heavy-handed Browne, but he still wore them down to get the knockout.

“Bivol’s course is simply different than Beterbiev’s. I think Bivol will win. We’ll see. Bivol can be touched, but is Beterbiev speedy enough?

The mileage Porter is talking about may not prevent Beterbiev from winning the fight because his power is just as deadly as it would be if he had less mileage, and he hasn’t shown any problems with his chin. If Bivol is going to take advantage of Beterbiev’s age and ring wear, he will have to fight him. Doing this will be risky.

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Lamont Roach Jnr claims he is better than Frank Martin; will do better against Gervonta Davis

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Lamont Roach Jnr says he brings much more to the organization than Frank Martin, the undefeated lightweight who was knocked out on shortstop by Gervonta “Tank” Davis in June.

“With all due respect, I’m not Frank Martin. Frank Martin started boxing when he was, what, 15? Roach said in an interview with Cigar Talk’s Naji Grampus. (Martin was actually 17 years senior, according to the Premier Boxing Champions website.)

“Frank Martin doesn’t have the experience he needed – as everyone has seen, it’s not like I’m talking nonsense or anything like that – he didn’t have the experience to work with someone as qualified or as experienced as [Tank]. I have the same skill level as Tank. I have the same experience as Tank. I have reflexes. I have this ability. I’m sure I have an IQ. The question is, what makes people think I’m going to end up like these guys who had no experience and no skills?”

Davis’s record is 30-0 (28 KOs). The only fighters to last the distance with him were German Meraz in 2014, when Davis fought his ninth professional fight, and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, whom Davis defeated by decision in 2021. After the fight with Cruz, it was revealed that Davis had suffered a hand injury.

Roach acknowledges Davis’ authority, but he also believes in his own chin.

“I think I got hit a few times. Nobody ever dropped me,” Roach said. “No one has ever seen me hurt in any fight.”

Counter right hook who dropped Roach his loss to Jamel Herring in 2019 was ruled a slip – “The referee noticed my foot came up and I tripped. That’s why he didn’t call it a knockdown,” Roach said.

However, Roach (25-1-1, 10 KO), while emphasizing his advantages, also admits that Davis has few weaknesses.

“The ones I know, I’ll try to utilize them,” Roach said. “It won’t be effortless. We all know that. He’s a hell of a fighter.”

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PBC makes it official: Tank Vs. Roach December 14 In Houston

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Image: PBC Makes it Official: Tank vs. Roach on December 14 in Houston

Author: Chris Williams – 10/06/2024 – Comments

PBC today announced the official title defense of WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis against Lamont Roach, which will take place on December 14 on Amazon Prime Video at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

On the event card, Davis vs. Roach has no word, but it has to be a good event to motivate fans to spend the $75.95 to order this event on PPV. If Premier Boxing champions take part in a joint film called David Benavidez vs. David Morrell, it will be a great added value.

Unsurprisingly, fan reaction to tonight’s Tank-Roach fight was almost entirely negative, with people labeling it “Garbage” and “Cherry Pickaxe.” Several fans are in favor of this match and seem to think Roach (25-1-1, 10 KO) will add value. The number of these fans is much larger, although compared to those who disregard the fight.

The fight was leaked a long time ago, but now it is official. The starting price for the PPV remains to be revealed. This is where the real backlash from the boxing community will arise and Tank Davis will be vilified.

If Premier Boxing Champions want to make people joyful, they will price the event at $20 or less to reflect the mismatch. This probably won’t happen. The likely price for the Tank-Roach event will be $75, and fans will have to take it or leave it.

It wouldn’t be a substantial deal for Tank Davis to pick another supple opponent if he’s faced quality opponents in his last fights or any of them in his 11-year career. Unfortunately, Tank was a bottom of the barrel opponent, improving his record and taking no risks in his career.

Categories Gervonta Davis

Last update: 10/06/2024

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