first and foremost let me start by saying wilder still needs at least 5 fights against better opposition than stiverne and gain at least 10 lbs lean muscle before i give him a chance against wlad, by that time wlad might be ready to retire. wilder shocked the hell out of me, although i was rooting for him i thought for sure stiverne would knock him out. wilder.... used his height and reach did a great job with his jab didn't get goaded into a knockout counter stamina and chin held up didn't punch himself out circled the ring and stayed out of stivernes range i also felt he utilized the final 20 seconds or so to tee off on stiverne in the first 4 or 5 rounds, very useful tactic that took the zing out of stiverne. had wilder tried to tee off on stiverne earlier in the rounds he would have risked getting KTFO. and most importantly stuck with the game plan and main keys i mentioned above. overall great fight, good for boxing.
I agree. I picked Wilder to lose by KO because I thought he had a suspect chin and hadn't faced anyone with a pulse. He fought a smart fight for the most part using his height and smothering Stiverne late. Wilder needs some more seasoning before stepping up to the elite but he proved tonught that he belongs among the top 10 of the division.
i see a lot of people making excuses and putting down wilder, that's ok he is not elite yet. he could use 3 more fights against stiverne caliber or slightly better opposition before stepping up again. he could also use at least 10lbs more lean muscle.
