He's better than anyone Wilder has faced outside of Stiverne - but that's not saying much. Pretty much all of the rest of Wilder's "opposition" is complete stiffs like Nichols and Sconiers (who both of course had Wilder on the canvas) or mediocre "name" opponents years past their prime like Fraudley and Lyakhovich.
Stiverne - stopped by journeyman King, went life and death with an ancient Ray Austin, dropped and fought to a close decision with Rossy Molina - KO'd in 1 by Arreola, dropped by and went life and death with Grano Duhaupas - While I thought he did enough to beat both Charr and Teper there's no a whole a lot to separate him for these kind of guys, he's clearly operating at the European - fringe world level. - Szpilka dropped multiple times by Mike Mollo, went life and death with an ancient McCline, Schooled and stopped by Jennings.. Yet outboxed Wilder for long stretches Wilders opposition in winning and the defending the belt has been SPECTACULAR! What are you on about Zak? :huh
Duhuapas is a good win. Wilder is far from ATG talelnt, but he's tall, rangey, and hits very hard. He would be good fight for anybody in the top 10.
You've done an excellent job pointing out the limited nature of those who are actually among the "better" fighters Wilder has faced. They are basically a bunch of high grade journeymen posing as fringe contenders in a very mediocre HW era.
Yeah and Duhaupas is getting rated a bit higher because of his minor upset against a faded Helenius without his power. Duhaupas is not a big puncher. He couldn't even dent Charr or Teper, and went the distance with chinny journeyman Nascimento who had been stopped multiple times prior. All points to Helenius being past it, and Duhaupas just being a solid Euro - fringe world level operator.
Decent HW, probably top 15, certainly top 20. Solid win, not spectacular ; a little bit underrated on this forum. Genuine challenge for DW : Ortiz, Haye, Joshua...I can not understand the fact that DW has no more support among USA fans. He is a real sportsman, devoted and modest. It is off topic, but I have to say : Brits are the best fans.
It's not good, but it's a decent win. Duhaupas has clearly improved since the loss to Pianeta, he's not top ten material, probably around the top 20 or so. He's a solid enough fighter, decent chin, decent defense, work man like approach but lacks any real weapons to ever beat anyone who's a genuine contender. Sad thing is this is Wilder's best opponent in a title defence so far when in reality someone like Duhaupas should be one of the worst on the resume of a good champion.