ShoBox: Deontay Wilder vs. Sergei Liakhovich & Jermall Charlo vs. Antwone Smith RBR

I'm not sure Wilder is capable of looking much better than this; and I mean that in a good and bad way. At this point, he seems to be at the peak of his physical ability, which means his power and speed make him a force to be reckoned with. And, whatever one might say about his predictable approach and defensive flaws, he's become very adept at disguising the right that everyone and their dog knows is coming behind the jab.

Still, the defensive flaws and occasional stiffness and nervousness and the possibility that he might not react too well if someone brings the fight to him remain. And I have a feeling they'll remain apparent for a while, no matter how many times he scores KO's like this.

That said, big time contender for KOTY tonight.

 

Clever again from wilders team might have to start taking him a little more seriously

 

I think they're doing it about right. A slow, incremental approach with small increases in the opponent's ability.

If one could "cash out" against the Klitschko's then Tony Thompson and Eddie Chambers et al. would be happily retired, spending time on the golf course, living in mansions in Florida.

 

Yeah, Schaefer has bigger plans for Deontay, he's not cashing out for 150K and a trip to Frankfurt or wherever it is they fight.

 

So that's Wlad's fault that he spent the money???

His purse was at least 650K!

 

Trust me- if Wilder can string together a handful more dominant KO's, that fight will be significantly bigger than Thompson or Chambers, neither of whom were "name" fighters, easy sells, or presented a fan-friendly styles matchup. And I like those guys.

I think Wilder's been brought along well; but I know the allure of building a big money fight with your exciting (but flawed) KO artist can lead to shortcuts. I've seen it happen with Gerald McClellan, Cooney, and countless other guys with a punch and a fan-friendly style. Hopefully his team doesn't succumb to that temptation, but if they think the level below Wlad might end the gravy train, going for that title shot with the unbeaten KO streak may well be better business.

 

Wlad wants another fight in America. If Wilder keeps this string up, he'd almost surely be on the short list for being that opponent.

 

"150K" What Klitschko challenger ever got that little???

 

It was surely implied. Plus your track record of whining about American fighters being mistread overseas gave you away.