Is it time for Deontay Wilder vs. Lebedev, Stevenson, Glowacki ...

I know Chris Arreola was mentioned by "unidentified" sources this week as the person with the best chance to fight Deontay Wilder next, primarily because of his ties to Haymon.

However, Arreola hasn't been training because he's been on suspension, so he wouldn't be ready soon. He is coming off a drug suspension. He also isn't rated by the WBC. So, even if they wanted him, there probably are too may hurdles preventing this from happening right now.

I think there's a far better chance that Wilder will be fighting Gerald Washington next. Washington seems to have the inside track. Both are advised by Al Haymon. Both are in shape. Both could fight right away. And Washington is rated #15 by the WBC. He'll likely move up even higher (maybe even to number 10) as a handful of fighters above him either lost, were given a belt by the WBA, or go on drug suspension.

Otherwise, during this idle summer period, is this when Wilder fights a champ from a lower division?

Champs moving up don't need to be rated to qualify for a title shot.

The cruiserweight division is hopping right now. Lebedev just unified. Would he come to the States to fight Wilder in the place of his shamed stablemate (Povetkin)?

What about Glowacki (who recently beat Steve Cunningham)? He's advised by Haymon, as is Beibut Shumenov.

What about the light heavyweight champ Adonis Stevenson?

Stevenson has been kind of a bust. Beterbiev, who Haymon advises, seems to be the future.

Putting Stevenson in with Wilder would **** off Kathy Duva, who has been trying to make a Kovalev-Stevenson fight. And then, after beating Stevenson, Wilder could tell Kovalev he'll fight him anytime, too. (That would **** off Duva and HBO.)

The WBC would likely sanction Wilder-Stevenson, because they allow champs to move up to fight in optional defenses.

If the heavyweights are so lean, should Wilder fight a cruiserweight? Or a light heavy? Lots of heavyweights champs throughout history have.

Is this the time?

 

Fury and Wlad are fighting each other. Joshua is on his own schedule. Takam just lost to Parker. Parker's team just stepped up and now are taking a step back.

I agree about Pulev.

But I'm talking about this summer.

Fury-Klitshko are fighting in July. Joshua is fighting Breazeale in June.

Wilder needs to stay busy. Should he fight a top cruiserweight, let's say, rather than a short-notice heavyweight?

 

I know they are good.

That's why I'm asking. Is this the time to do it. Seems like good timing to fight a cruiserweight or even Stevenson.

Even if the opponent is smaller, they are more respected than some other options.

 

Huck is advised by Haymon, too. But Glowacki is a champion. And Huck lost to him.

I'd rather see Glowacki.

The best storyline would be Lebedev.

Huck would've been better if he still had a title. Now, I'm not sure.

WBC Heavyweight champ vs. WBC Light Heavyweight champ still has some value historically, too. Most light heavy champs in history had no chance to win, either. But it was still done.

 

I was a big Bryant Jennings guy. But he hasn't won a fight in a year and a half.

He's done nothing to deserve THREE HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE CHALLENGES in a row.

The last guy to do that was Axel Shulz, because everyone thought he beat Foreman, and then he fought Botha and Botha tested positive, and then he fought Moorer.

Bryant Jennings never came close to beating Wlad or Ortiz. Jennings needs to win a fight against somebody before he gets another crack.

I don't think it'll be Arreola. They want to fight someone soon. Seems like too many hurdles preventing it.