Wilder Will Be 'Shocked, Humbled'

[Impractical Poster]

Deontay Wilder acknowledged again this week that he’ll fight Gerald Washington in two weeks because he doesn’t view Washington as an unusually dangerous opponent.

Wilder hasn’t fought since he had surgeries six months ago to repair injuries to his right hand and right biceps. The unbeaten WBC heavyweight champion admits he had to be conservative about choosing an opponent for testing those injuries.

Washington can’t wait to show Wilder he made an enormous mistake choosing him as a replacement once Poland’s Andrzej Wawrzyk (33-1, 19 KOs) tested positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid, last month.

“He’s gonna be shocked, just like every fighter that steps in the ring with me,” Washington told BS.com. “I’m gonna surprise him, and it’s gonna be very humbling to him.”

The 6-feet-7, 225-pound Wilder (37-0, 36 KOs) is heavily favored to defeat the 6-6, 245-pound Washington (18-0-1, 12 KOs), a former USC football player who didn’t make his pro debut until he was 30 years old.

Wilder, 31, has faced better opposition than Washington, has won 97 percent of his fights by knockout and they’ll fight February 25 near Wilder’s hometown. Washington still isn’t the least bit intimidated.

“Everybody can punch, man,” Washington said. “Everybody keeps talking about how Deontay can punch. Everybody can punch. If he lines you up, yeah OK, cool. I know I need to defend for that big punch. All right. That’s what I know how to do. I know how to defend myself. My only issue is learning how to step up my offense. I know how to be defensive. I need to learn how to be offensive. And I’ve learned those lessons, and I’m ready for this fight.”

Wilder told a group of reporters Wednesday in Manhattan that Washington isn’t prepared for what he’ll face in a fight FOX will televise from Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.

“He could approach it however he wants to,” Washington said. “Whatever his mindset needs to be, that’s fine. But I know what my job is and I know what I need to do. I know what my goals are and I know how to accomplish those things. And I’m gonna go to work on that night. We’ll see how it works out. We’ll see his boxing against my boxing, and we’ll see how the night turns out.”

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http://www.BS.com/washington-w ... BUnEt.dpuf

[lazboy]

I know a lot of people are saying this is a nothing fight and the reality is it is but....

I saw a clip of Washington on the pads and he looked fine/decent. I watched about half of his fight with Mansour, had to switch it off because Virgil Hunter was commentating. Washington looked ok. Good stock standard skills. Has a decent jab and straight right, good balance, footwork, good use of distance, athletic and obviously is a big boy. Very cautious in there though, which might work well against wilder who's been Ko ING people who've been chasing him down. Also i don't think he has any head movement and looks a bit slow in all departments.

I definitely won't call an upset because of the slowness but If Washington does give windmill Wilder problems, just with standard/average boxing skills, someone like AJ will KO wilder in 5 rounds.

[asdfjkl]

Well, I'd have to say, this is the first guy with a reasonable chin, weight and height, so that will be a completely new experience for Wilder. This guy is at least as good as a pro old 6ft1 43 year old who spend his prime in prison.

[crusader]

I think Mansour is better actually, and IMO he was unlucky to only get draw. Nagy also gave Washington a tough fight that isnt reflected by the pair of generous 78-74 scores.

Washington is big and undefeated, which certain people will care about, but he's not that good.

[punchoutsb]

I think Mansour is better actually, and IMO he was unlucky to only get draw. Nagy also gave Washington a tough fight that isnt reflected by the pair of generous 78-74 scores.

Washington is big and undefeated, which certain people will care about, but he's not that good.

This. It's another nothing fight from Wilder who has somehow managed to avoid every single top contender in a weak era.

I know, I know, Povetkin this and that, but at the end of the day if you can't fight the #1 contender should the next choice really be #347?

[KiwiRider]

Washington has the basics alright, along with the height and reach to be competitive in the modern HW division. But going by his last fight ( I haven't seen him in any others) he is SLOW!
As previously stated - a nothing fight by Wilder, again.

[Kalan]

Washington has size, height, reach, and fair strength. He's a fair athlete and could learn how to box in time. He's a little squared up and he's raggedy. His muscles are a little bulky and not supple and responsive. Defensively he doesn't react quickly enough or get under punches smoothly.

Klitschko was a little bulky and clunky when Steward got him. He had better hand speed and could get guys like Derrick Jefferson out. He had a lot of experience and knowledge. Steward smoothed him out with better footwork and timing, a smoother jab and combos, so he became very successful.

Joshua is very smooth and difficult to hit solidly. He's got the timing and footwork down. GW is a level above Breazeale, but AJ would be a terrible fight for him, even though he jabs and moves better than Martin or Breazeale. Wilder should also beat him fairly easy, but Wilder gets hit more. If Washington can take some big punches in this fight and can keep throwing he has on outside shot. If he's as tough as Duhaupas he could make a fight of it, but I think he's going to get beaten down.

I would try to box as well as possible for as long as possible and not throw too hard. Spzilka wasn't doing terribly until he loaded up a big swing. He got carried out. So don't get greedy. Box as well as you can, and you might get a shot where you get a clean opening -- like Rahman.

[Sequitorian]

I'd like to see it ... Wilder needs to be humbled ... (humiliated even) ...

[gilgamesh]

I'd like to see it ... Wilder needs to be humbled ... (humiliated even) ...

I don't know if he necessarily needs to be humbled, I'd just like to see a Champion that doesn't avoid anybody ranked in the Top 10 like the plague.

[Exoddus]

I don't care what anyone says. This is a terrible fight.

[gilgamesh]

I don't care what anyone says. This is a terrible fight.

Welcome to Wilder's entire title reign. The sad thing is, even fighting these lower than Top 10 guys he's still struggling in a lot of these fights, and may well struggle here too. Wilder's just not that good, and he knows it that's why he avoids anybody that's ranked and actually deserving of a title shot. He couldn't beat them.

Eventually one of these undeserving guys will beat him too if he doesn't cash in soon. Wilder's a KO loss waiting to happen.

[Kalan]

I thought the same thing about Joe Frazier because he got hit so much.. It's not real good to go from fighting lower level guys like Stander and Daniels -- and then fight a challenger like George Foreman.. You should keep the comp on a fairly high level.. As soon as Wilder steps it up he'll be in another world...

It's unreal that this is Wilder's 6th World Title Fight, making him by far the most experienced current Heavyweight Champion. Parker and Fury never defended their titles. Joshua is going into his 3rd defense.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I don't care what anyone says. This is a terrible fight.

Welcome to Wilder's entire title reign. The sad thing is, even fighting these lower than Top 10 guys he's still struggling in a lot of these fights, and may well struggle here too. Wilder's just not that good, and he knows it that's why he avoids anybody that's ranked and actually deserving of a title shot. He couldn't beat them.

Eventually one of these undeserving guys will beat him too if he doesn't cash in soon. Wilder's a KO loss waiting to happen.

Maybe his handlers know he isn't that good, he's better than I thought he was, but he's supremely confident. That's not an act, he thinks he will beat everyone. In this division he could.

[gilgamesh]

I don't care what anyone says. This is a terrible fight.

Welcome to Wilder's entire title reign. The sad thing is, even fighting these lower than Top 10 guys he's still struggling in a lot of these fights, and may well struggle here too. Wilder's just not that good, and he knows it that's why he avoids anybody that's ranked and actually deserving of a title shot. He couldn't beat them.

Eventually one of these undeserving guys will beat him too if he doesn't cash in soon. Wilder's a KO loss waiting to happen.

Maybe his handlers know he isn't that good, he's better than I thought he was, but he's supremely confident. That's not an act, he thinks he will beat everyone. In this division he could.

I'll believe he believes it when he actually tests himself.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Welcome to Wilder's entire title reign. The sad thing is, even fighting these lower than Top 10 guys he's still struggling in a lot of these fights, and may well struggle here too. Wilder's just not that good, and he knows it that's why he avoids anybody that's ranked and actually deserving of a title shot. He couldn't beat them.

Eventually one of these undeserving guys will beat him too if he doesn't cash in soon. Wilder's a KO loss waiting to happen.

Maybe his handlers know he isn't that good, he's better than I thought he was, but he's supremely confident. That's not an act, he thinks he will beat everyone. In this division he could.

I'll believe he believes it when he actually tests himself.

[BitPlayer]

I'd like to see it ... Wilder needs to be humbled ... (humiliated even) ...

I don't know if he necessarily needs to be humbled, I'd just like to see a Champion that doesn't avoid anybody ranked in the Top 10 like the plague.

Honestly though, who actually have better wins than Wilder? Wlad and Fury obviously do, but who else? Maybe Ortiz but I don't see what Jennings has done that's that special and the rest is much weaker than WIlder's. Povetkin has some decent wins, but nothing really better than Wilder, overall a bit stronger, and credit for trying against Wlad. Pulev's resume is pretty weak, though credit for trying against Wlad. I guess Chisora is a decent win. Joshua's resume of shot journymen, a mess of Whyte, and a couple guys with wins they didn't earn is far worse.

Really the only ones I'd put above him for calebre of wins are Fury, Wlad and Povetkin,

[crusader]

Jennings is better than anyone Wilder has fought IMO, and remember how easily he beat up and stopped Szpilka, who is very arguably the best Wilder has faced during his reign. Chisora and Pulev have tested themselves against top 2 HWs, and now AJ, after 3.5 years pro, is fighting someone Id rate above all Wilder's opponents. Other American HWs like Arreola, Thompson, Scott, and Breazeale have also faced opponents Id rate higher than all of Wilder's, even when excluding Deontay for Arreola and Scott. I also think Carlos Takam is at least as good as Stiverne, Szpilka, Molina, and co., and a 24-year-old Parker fought him only 3 years and 10 months after turning pro. Of course not all these guys won at the top, but for me the issue is not so much winning as it is stepping up and taking the heightened risk of an L.

No doubt Wilder has been active and defeated several top 15-30 guys (though he was looking outside this for Wawrzyk); he's very comfortable operating within that range, and like post-Fonfara Adonis seems to prefer the cozy route unless something else is mandated.

A hesitant guy who got a lucky draw with Mansour and struggled with Nagy is right up his alley

[lazboy]

Washington has size, height, reach, and fair strength. He's a fair athlete and could learn how to box in time. He's a little squared up and he's raggedy. His muscles are a little bulky and not supple and responsive. Defensively he doesn't react quickly enough or get under punches smoothly.

Klitschko was a little bulky and clunky when Steward got him. He had better hand speed and could get guys like Derrick Jefferson out. He had a lot of experience and knowledge. Steward smoothed him out with better footwork and timing, a smoother jab and combos, so he became very successful.

Joshua is very smooth and difficult to hit solidly. He's got the timing and footwork down. GW is a level above Breazeale, but AJ would be a terrible fight for him, even though he jabs and moves better than Martin or Breazeale. Wilder should also beat him fairly easy, but Wilder gets hit more. If Washington can take some big punches in this fight and can keep throwing he has on outside shot. If he's as tough as Duhaupas he could make a fight of it, but I think he's going to get beaten down.

I would try to box as well as possible for as long as possible and not throw too hard. Spzilka wasn't doing terribly until he loaded up a big swing. He got carried out. So don't get greedy. Box as well as you can, and you might get a shot where you get a clean opening -- like Rahman.

Joshua looks a bit bulky to me. What do you think of his chest? Firm enough, perky? Is it supple to the touch?

[gilgamesh]

I'd like to see it ... Wilder needs to be humbled ... (humiliated even) ...

I don't know if he necessarily needs to be humbled, I'd just like to see a Champion that doesn't avoid anybody ranked in the Top 10 like the plague.

Honestly though, who actually have better wins than Wilder? Wlad and Fury obviously do, but who else? Maybe Ortiz but I don't see what Jennings has done that's that special and the rest is much weaker than WIlder's. Povetkin has some decent wins, but nothing really better than Wilder, overall a bit stronger, and credit for trying against Wlad. Pulev's resume is pretty weak, though credit for trying against Wlad. I guess Chisora is a decent win. Joshua's resume of shot journymen, a mess of Whyte, and a couple guys with wins they didn't earn is far worse.

Really the only ones I'd put above him for calebre of wins are Fury, Wlad and Povetkin,

Wlad, Povetkin, Ortiz and even David Haye have better resumes than Wilder.

Shannon Briggs does too overall though all of his most meaningful wins are a long time ago.

[Kalan]

I don't care what anyone says. This is a terrible fight.

Welcome to Wilder's entire title reign. The sad thing is, even fighting these lower than Top 10 guys he's still struggling in a lot of these fights, and may well struggle here too. Wilder's just not that good, and he knows it that's why he avoids anybody that's ranked and actually deserving of a title shot. He couldn't beat them.

Eventually one of these undeserving guys will beat him too if he doesn't cash in soon. Wilder's a KO loss waiting to happen.

Maybe his handlers know he isn't that good, he's better than I thought he was, but he's supremely confident. That's not an act, he thinks he will beat everyone. In this division he could.

It's a strong division and he doesn't believe he'll beat anyone.. Especially not Luis Ortiz or Anthony Joshua.. He believes he can beat Hughie Fury, so he called him out a few times.. Ortiz will stretch him him of he gets him before he's too old.. If he fought in the 1950's or 60's I see him destroying everybody.

[BitPlayer]

I don't know if he necessarily needs to be humbled, I'd just like to see a Champion that doesn't avoid anybody ranked in the Top 10 like the plague.

Honestly though, who actually have better wins than Wilder? Wlad and Fury obviously do, but who else? Maybe Ortiz but I don't see what Jennings has done that's that special and the rest is much weaker than WIlder's. Povetkin has some decent wins, but nothing really better than Wilder, overall a bit stronger, and credit for trying against Wlad. Pulev's resume is pretty weak, though credit for trying against Wlad. I guess Chisora is a decent win. Joshua's resume of shot journymen, a mess of Whyte, and a couple guys with wins they didn't earn is far worse.

Really the only ones I'd put above him for calebre of wins are Fury, Wlad and Povetkin,

Wlad, Povetkin, Ortiz and even David Haye have better resumes than Wilder.

Shannon Briggs does too overall though all of his most meaningful wins are a long time ago.

I didn't count Haye because that was so long ago.

As I said, Ortiz's is probably weaker, nothing apart from Jennings.

[asdfjkl]

Welcome to Wilder's entire title reign. The sad thing is, even fighting these lower than Top 10 guys he's still struggling in a lot of these fights, and may well struggle here too. Wilder's just not that good, and he knows it that's why he avoids anybody that's ranked and actually deserving of a title shot. He couldn't beat them.

Eventually one of these undeserving guys will beat him too if he doesn't cash in soon. Wilder's a KO loss waiting to happen.

Maybe his handlers know he isn't that good, he's better than I thought he was, but he's supremely confident. That's not an act, he thinks he will beat everyone. In this division he could.

It's a strong division and he doesn't believe he'll beat anyone.. Especially not Luis Ortiz or Anthony Joshua.. He believes he can beat Hughie Fury, so he called him out a few times.. Ortiz will stretch him him of he gets him before he's too old.. If he fought in the 1950's or 60's I see him destroying everybody.

He called Hughie out, but ducked him in the end anyway, like he does with every top contender. Hughie asked 8 weeks notie, Wilder didn't give it to him and fought Duhaupas instead 7,5 weeks later for example. He challenged Briggs as well, but ducked him in the end anyway as well.