What time is Deontay Wilder vs. Johann Duhaupas taking place?
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Deontay Wilder defends his slice of the heavyweight world title against Johann Duhaupus on Saturday looking for another convincing win to keep him headed toward a unification bout with Wladimir Klitschko.
Transformed from underdog to heavyweight champion in just nine years, 29-year-old Wilder is set to fight Johann Duhaupas live from the Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Headlining the card is rising Heavyweight star Deontay Wilder.
Heavyweight challenger Johann Duhaupas, of France, speaks at press… Current WBC Heavyweight champion, winning the belt from Stiverne, who claimed it after Vitali Klitschko retired as champion.
Wilder and his handlers chose France’s Duhaupas because he offered the cheapest path of least resistance for another optional defense of a WBC crown Wilder won from Canada’s Bermane Stiverne (24-2-1, 17 KOs) on January 17 in Las Vegas.
The excitement for him has much to do with going from the limited audience of pay channels to network television for the first time. It’s been three decades since Larry Holmes fought Carl Williams on NBC in 1985. In ten short years Wilder has won an Olympic bronze medal, amassed an immaculate record of 34-0 with 33 wins coming by way of knockout and is the reigning WBC heavyweight champion.
Deontay Wilder knocked out Eric Molina in his last fight on June 13. Wilder is considered a raw power puncher, who seems prone to be out-boxed by more experienced boxers.
Said Jay Deas, Wilder’s co-manager and trainer, “America has been wanting a heavyweight that is charismatic, energetic, wants to fight often, has a knockout punch, has the looks and everything that the heavyweight champ should have. What more do you want?” How do I feel about my performance? Wilder said. “He’s a tough guy”.
“Any man that steps in the ring, definitely gets my full attention in respect”, he said.
All the pre-fight roadblocks have been sorted out between all parties involved. In fact, Duhaupas presented Wilder with a replica of the Eiffel Tower draped with red, white and blue boxing gloves.
“It’s an huge pleasure to be boxing here in the United States”, he said. “I want to make it bigger and better than it ever have been before”. “That’s always been the plan, and I’m making sure that that plan is played out like it’s supposed to”. Many people said I wouldn’t make it far. The Reptile, however, has not revealed any flaws he may see in Wilder’s game.
“The 6’5″ Duhaupas weighed in at 236 pounds, and looked nearly tall enough to look the 6’7” Wilder eye to eye when the two of them stood for the face off. Despite Duhaupas having more weight on him compared to the 228lb Wilder, he doesn’t have Wilder’s hand speed and punching power.
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But first, Wilder will have to take care of business against Duhaupas in front of his hometown fans on national television. I hope so. If it’s a compelling fight we can expect more top-level fights on free TV. “We’re going to see what he’s good at”. The things that I’m about to bring to the table. Not that we haven’t seen upsets in the past, but is Duhuapas another Buster Douglas or will he simply be another unfamiliar name on Wilder’s resume as he climbs to greater heights?
