You still haven't answered why Pulev would fight Wilder when he is in line to fight Wladimir vs. Povetkin winner? He can fight on the sport's biggest stage, why waste time with Wilder? As for Wilder being a beast. I don't think you understand that Lyakhovich's reputation was built on beating an overrated fighter in Brewster. Lamon's claim to fame is he was able to withstand enough punishment for Wladimir to have an anxiety attack. He also was getting thoroughly out boxed by Krasniqi till he gassed out. Sergei was a solid B-level fighter. The KO loss to Briggs, the one sided loss to Valuev, and the beat downs he got after showed that. He is nothing special, and hasn't shown to be particularly durable over the last seven years. Pulev hasn't had as many KO's, but he has fought a much higher level of opposition throughout his career, generally as you do that your KO percentage decreases.
I can clearly see your point. Wilder should take gradual steps and fight the best US boxer in the face of TT. If he gets fed to Pulev he will be exposed just as David Price was. If Wilder wants to make a statement he needs to fight TT or Chisora.:think
Most likely against someone like Marius Wach, who has the height and size to more prepare him for Wlad.
Fighting Wach will not prepare him for Wlad speed & power. It might help from a marketing POV -he is beating Giants- Wilder is the only guy with speed & power that can match Wlad. Haye has a diff type of speed and power and he is smaller in size & boxes more when compared to the power shots happy Wilder
I'll give Wilder the power, but his speed and fluidity isn't great. Deontay doesn't use his jab well, nor does he move particularly well. He has a lot to work on. Wach uses a pretty consistent jab, which is Wlad's best weapon, and he has the sheer physical size that one needs to acclimate against.
Wilder although not accurate has ultra fast hands, although his coordination is much slower, which effects his combination and overall rythum. Especially when it comes to defensive speed & footwork. Which makes him appear slower than guys with slower hands (eg: Haye & Wlad), its not too late for Wilder to adjust these habits, as Wlad himself was able to reform his boxing skills later in his career
The bookies I know will make Wilder the favorite. Pulev will be going at +200 (they always favor the guy with the KO power)
Wilder can destory only tomato cans. If he was that good as you describe it, he would have stepped up years ago. Wilder its going to be brutally humiliated if he fights Pulev.:deal
I went out of my way & made contact with a member of team Wilder, he said Pulev will never take that fight. However, if he does Wilder is ready to make him his #30 KO win I don't want to see Pulev hurt. However, the Wilder haters are embarrassing Pulev and bringing attention to this fight, by marching him into a fight that he can't win! (this fight can happen, because Pulev wants to wait on Wlad & Wilder is always in great shape...His team loves a guaranteed easy win)
Pulev is the mandatory for the winner of Wlad-Povetkin. He will take a tune-up prior to that fight. Wilder is high-risk no reward at this point.
I can't wait for this hype train to crash AND IT WILL. There's gonna be so many casualties. CHOO CHOO
Vlad toyed with Wilder while sparring for the Wach fight. He can't compete with Vitali or Vlad. If Wilder were to fight Wach, Wach has a great chin, is 250lbs., 6 foot 8 inches tall, is strong and has power himself. He is not as good as Vlad or Vitali by any means, but I think he would knock Wilder out. If Team Wilder thinks Wilder is the best heavyweight in the world, then why did he refuse to fight Thompson? When will Wilder fight anyone in the top 75? I think they will continue to search the grave yards for future opponents. How can he be ranked in top ten if he has not fight a ranked fighter? He knows he does not have to fight anyone to keep rising in the rankings.