Bermane Stiverne v Deontay Wilder 17th Jan Vegas

[SamWise72]

Stiverne has a decent chin. Fury doesn't. Fury won't be tall in this fight, which is the only thing he's good at. He'll have to keep a high workrate and also protect his chin, tall order.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Stiverne has a decent chin. Fury doesn't. Fury won't be tall in this fight, which is the only thing he's good at. He'll have to keep a high workrate and also protect his chin, tall order.

Heavyweights with bad chins don't hold unbeaten records all that long. Fury has been down, many 'sturdy' heavyweights have been down on their way to the top - he aint the first or the last.

[palooka]

Stiverne has more than a decent chin; he took some very big punches and kept on going. Wilder will take some beating, other than Wlad he'll beat everyone around.

[Boxerbeetle]

Well I lost my money, but actually glad Wilder won, will make for some more interesting fights down the line.

[rm1]

Looking back I am amazed so many pundits picked Stiverne. he is a counter puncher and it is very difficult to counter punch a decent boxer who has that much reach advantage. Wilder boxed well and this win proves that any heavyweight under 6"5" is going to have to be exceptional to win a world title.

[Ian1973]

Looking back I am amazed so many pundits picked Stiverne. he is a counter puncher and it is very difficult to counter punch a decent boxer who has that much reach advantage. Wilder boxed well and this win proves that any heavyweight under 6"5" is going to have to be exceptional to win a world title.

I tend to agree with that, just looking at them before the first bell Wilder looked way bigger than Stiverne. That surely must be a substantial advantage. Watching the fight, Wilder seemed to control things from range, Stiverne looked too small to cope with Wilder, especially as Stiverne isn't a naturally "fast" fighter.

[palooka]

Looking back I am amazed so many pundits picked Stiverne. he is a counter puncher and it is very difficult to counter punch a decent boxer who has that much reach advantage. Wilder boxed well and this win proves that any heavyweight under 6"5" is going to have to be exceptional to win a world title.

I tend to agree with that, just looking at them before the first bell Wilder looked way bigger than Stiverne. That surely must be a substantial advantage. Watching the fight, Wilder seemed to control things from range, Stiverne looked too small to cope with Wilder, especially as Stiverne isn't a naturally "fast" fighter.

I agree and I'm not sure if Wilder boxed well or made the most of his physical advantages. A 'normal' sized heavyweight doesn't stand a 'fair' chance versus the massive framed heavyweights; I'm not convinced that Mike Tyson would have won a title now, (is it really nearly 30 years since Tyson beat Berbick?)

[Ian1973]

Looking back I am amazed so many pundits picked Stiverne. he is a counter puncher and it is very difficult to counter punch a decent boxer who has that much reach advantage. Wilder boxed well and this win proves that any heavyweight under 6"5" is going to have to be exceptional to win a world title.

I tend to agree with that, just looking at them before the first bell Wilder looked way bigger than Stiverne. That surely must be a substantial advantage. Watching the fight, Wilder seemed to control things from range, Stiverne looked too small to cope with Wilder, especially as Stiverne isn't a naturally "fast" fighter.

I agree and I'm not sure if Wilder boxed well or made the most of his physical advantages. A 'normal' sized heavyweight doesn't stand a 'fair' chance versus the massive framed heavyweights; I'm not convinced that Mike Tyson would have won a title now, (is it really nearly 30 years since Tyson beat Berbick?)

I don't think that Tyson / Ali would rule the heavyweight scene now, If you are under 6 foot 4 you are seriously up against it, particularly now fitness levels have improved over the last 25 years or so. Back in the day someone of 6'8" would've been seen as a gangling freak, now they are seen as a true specimen.

[SamWise72]

Stiverne has a decent chin. Fury doesn't. Fury won't be tall in this fight, which is the only thing he's good at. He'll have to keep a high workrate and also protect his chin, tall order.

Heavyweights with bad chins don't hold unbeaten records all that long. Fury has been down, many 'sturdy' heavyweights have been down on their way to the top - he aint the first or the last.

I hear you, but look who he's been down against, and look at the power Wilder has.

[Tomasino]

an1973"]

Looking back I am amazed so many pundits picked Stiverne. he is a counter puncher and it is very difficult to counter punch a decent boxer who has that much reach advantage. Wilder boxed well and this win proves that any heavyweight under 6"5" is going to have to be exceptional to win a world title.

I tend to agree with that, just looking at them before the first bell Wilder looked way bigger than Stiverne. That surely must be a substantial advantage. Watching the fight, Wilder seemed to control things from range, Stiverne looked too small to cope with Wilder, especially as Stiverne isn't a naturally "fast" fighter.

I agree and I'm not sure if Wilder boxed well or made the most of his physical advantages. A 'normal' sized heavyweight doesn't stand a 'fair' chance versus the massive framed heavyweights; I'm not convinced that Mike Tyson would have won a title now, (is it really nearly 30 years since Tyson beat Berbick?)

I don't think that Tyson / Ali would rule the heavyweight scene now, If you are under 6 foot 4 you are seriously up against it, particularly now fitness levels have improved over the last 25 years or so. Back in the day someone of 6'8" would've been seen as a gangling freak, now they are seen as a true specimen.[/quote]


Ali would be undefeated in this very very poor day and age for heavyweights. I cant believe he's being criticised on a thread about a Wilder win. I mean, Ali would beat wilder on his effing debut.

[cobbler80]

Wilder surprised me and boxed well but Stiverne didn't really give him the test i'd have hoped for. Especially after taking it 12 rounds. Would have expected him to put it on Wilder a bit more but it was all too comfortable for Wilder

Vlad would destroy Wilder

[Tuan_Jim]

Wilder/Stiverne is an all-time nadir pairing for the WBC title, down there in the murky depths with Maskaev-Peter and Stiverne-Arreola, and people use it as a point of comparison to dismiss ultimate greats like Ali and Tyson? Baffling.

Tyson disarmed several speedy, slick 6'5'' men with iron chins - but he couldn't beat Deontay Wilder? Anyway, I can't bring myself to be drawn into the same old argument about some of the Greatest names not being able to handle the Latest name - every single time a man who we don't have anywhere near the distance or perspective to judge sensibly.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Tyson disarmed several speedy, slick 6'5'' men with iron chins

Did he? Like who?

He beat some good, big men, none of them what you would call fast.

[handsofstone]

Well who predicted this to be a distance fight? No one i imagine

I was impressed with Wilder's temprement,he had a few quiet spells and at one point I thought he actually hurt his right hand because he was throwing it sparingly but TBH its to be expected seeing as he's never been past 4 rounds so he was no doubt worrying about going into the later rounds,but he was composed throughout and his chin held up well I thought

Stiverne's chin is granite and fair play for never giving up but he was just too small and predictible

I thought Ruiz was unlucky to be stopped in his fight with Santa Cruz,I thought the ref was a bit premature, Leo was coming on strong at that point but Jesus blocked or avoided most of the shots when the ref stepped in.


Santa Cruz is one of my face to watch but fighting these calibre of opponents is stifling his progress

[reggaereggae]

Well who predicted this to be a distance fight? No one i imagine
I was impressed with Wilder's temprement,he had a few quiet spells and at one point I thought he actually hurt his right hand because he was throwing it sparingly but TBH its to be expected seeing as he's never been past 4 rounds so he was no doubt worrying about going into the later rounds,but he was composed throughout and his chin held up well I thought

Stiverne's chin is granite and fair play for never giving up but he was just too small and predictible

I thought Ruiz was unlucky to be stopped in his fight with Santa Cruz,I thought the ref was a bit premature, Leo was coming on strong at that point but Jesus blocked or avoided most of the shots when the ref stepped in.


Santa Cruz is one of my face to watch but fighting these calibre of opponents is stifling his progress

Nicky Bond of Boxing News predicted a Wilder Pts win in the last issue!

This stayed in my head, but I'd already put my bets on, I think it was a 10-1 or 11-1 play.
I'm not sure I'd have put more than a tenner on but would've been sweet nonetheless.

As for Stiverne - he was very disappointing. Both were gassed from round 7, but you would've thought Bernard could've hung it all out in the last round or so. A KO would've been worth 5 million dollars for his next purse against Wlad. Instead he will earn 200 grand max.

Stiverne has to be in contention for worst heavy champ ever.

[stujones]

Wilder fought a discipled, controlled fight. Answered many of the questions. I've never seen an undefeated Pro fighter written off as chinny as much as Wilder. Yes, I think there was a lot of evidence suggesting he was chinny but clearly not as chinny as many people were claiming.

Stiverne though must go in that list of poor heavyweight champions - okay, will never be as poor as Seldon - but my gosh he was SSSLLLOOOWWW. When you think of some of the challengers that we have considered unworthy to fight Wlad and Vitali in recent years - Wilder was as dominant as the Wlad and Vitali have been against those guys. He was as poor as Chisora was in the rematch against Fury.

[crusader]

I think many people weighted the Arreola fights too heavily and I believe Stiverne was a sizeable underdog entering the first Arreola bout, suggesting to me that his status as a top HW was based largely on that pair of wins. Ray Austin, Stiverne's only other victim of note, was much more similar in style and dimensions to Wilder, and Stiverne was losing that bout going into the 10th. In most of the rounds he plodded forward without throwing much, got hit from range, and missed with untidy power shots when he did throw, much like tonight.

Wilder definitely answered some questions and I think he rightfully legitimized himself as a top HW, but I think he's getting a bit too much credit for beating Stiverne.

[WildWaylon]

I had Wilder by KO in rounds 6 or 7 but I don't know anyone who would have had Wilder winning on points. Wilder has proved he has the fitness to do 12 rounds and the skills to win on points over the distance and I don't think anyone would have predicted that yesterday. He is a very worthy champion who has silenced all those who doubted him. He obviously tried to get Stiverne out of there but realised there was another way to get the win when the KO didn't come. He completely outclassed Stiverne with his skills and his speed showing he is going to be a very hard champion to beat. Fury said he wanted the winner of this fight and I really hope it happens. I don't think he would survive a Wilder onslaught and it would IMO be an early win for Wilder. Klitscho says he wants to unify and although I said yesterday Klitscho would win over Wilder, today I am not so sure. If Wilder beats Fury with a convincing win, I think a fight with Klitscho could be a 50/50, but I wouldn't speculate further at this stage. Without a doubt Wilder has made the HW division exciting again and boxing needed that. We can only hope in time he becomes a big name like Ali, Tyson, Lewis etc.

[WildWaylon]

I think many people weighted the Arreola fights too heavily and I believe Stiverne was a sizeable underdog entering the first Arreola bout, suggesting to me that his status as a top HW was based largely on that pair of wins. Ray Austin, Stiverne's only other victim of note, was much more similar in style and dimensions to Wilder, and Stiverne was losing that bout going into the 10th. In most of the rounds he plodded forward without throwing much, got hit from range, and missed with untidy power shots when he did throw, much like tonight.

Wilder definitely answered some questions and I think he rightfully legitimized himself as a top HW, but I think he's getting a bit too much credit for beating Stiverne.

Wilder said before the fight don't big up Stiverve and say I only have a punchers chance and then when I beat him say he was only average. I think Wilder has a point and most people
seemed to think the longer the fight went, Stiverne would retain.

[expe]

I think many people weighted the Arreola fights too heavily and I believe Stiverne was a sizeable underdog entering the first Arreola bout, suggesting to me that his status as a top HW was based largely on that pair of wins. Ray Austin, Stiverne's only other victim of note, was much more similar in style and dimensions to Wilder, and Stiverne was losing that bout going into the 10th. In most of the rounds he plodded forward without throwing much, got hit from range, and missed with untidy power shots when he did throw, much like tonight.

Wilder definitely answered some questions and I think he rightfully legitimized himself as a top HW, but I think he's getting a bit too much credit for beating Stiverne.

Wilder said before the fight don't big up Stiverve and say I only have a punchers chance and then when I beat him say he was only average. I think Wilder has a point and most people
seemed to think the longer the fight went, Stiverne would retain.

Stiverne was and still is average, possibly below that level, Wilder's simply a bit better than most people thought he was.

[rio]

Haymon just said wilder got a bigger purse than stiverne.....how did this happen? Thought it was 75%-25% to the champ?

Didn't go to purse bids.

Cheers....sounds like he got a bad deal then. He should have waited for purse bids to get the bigger share which I am assuming would be more than he was getting.

[Tuan_Jim]

Stiverne was and still is average, possibly below that level, Wilder's simply a bit better than most people thought he was.

Exactly - there's nothing wrong with revising opinion as new facts come to light. Turns out Stiverne was even worse than we thought, and Wilder not as bad as we thought. He was able to win a 12 round decision chiefly because Stiverne was so hopeless.

Michael Grant on his run would have got Stiverne out of there.

[MightyWarrior]

Wow Wilder really impressed me, not only is he an absolutely massive puncher, but he's got the stamina, boxing skills & a much better chin than expected. Stiverne was disappointing but what an incredible chin he's got: those massive shots he took halfway through pretty much shut him down.

I had bets on Stiverne to win by stoppage, but by the end, I was willing Wilder on to win - that was mightily impressive and I think there's going to be a lot of knockouts before he runs into someone with an amazing chin like Stiverne again.

[dbf]

This was an acid test for Wilder that just so happened to be for a world title. Most fighters have these tests but before they fight for a title. Stivern is really a level or two below where wilder needs to be, but he will have taken a lot away from this fight.

I've heard a few people say that it will Wilder v Arreloa on NbC next but really that's a bad fight for wilder, he needs to kick on now.

Haye come back, fight wilder, fury then Joshua then call it a day.

[crusader]

I think many people weighted the Arreola fights too heavily and I believe Stiverne was a sizeable underdog entering the first Arreola bout, suggesting to me that his status as a top HW was based largely on that pair of wins. Ray Austin, Stiverne's only other victim of note, was much more similar in style and dimensions to Wilder, and Stiverne was losing that bout going into the 10th. In most of the rounds he plodded forward without throwing much, got hit from range, and missed with untidy power shots when he did throw, much like tonight.

Wilder definitely answered some questions and I think he rightfully legitimized himself as a top HW, but I think he's getting a bit too much credit for beating Stiverne.

Wilder said before the fight don't big up Stiverve and say I only have a punchers chance and then when I beat him say he was only average. I think Wilder has a point and most people
seemed to think the longer the fight went, Stiverne would retain.

That doesn't apply to me considering that I made the point about Stiverne many times before the bout.