By Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media Head Boxing Correspondent
Las Vegas, NV (January 18, 2015)– Deontay Wilder is 33-0. For the first time in his career, one of his bouts went past the fourth round, and also went the distance, winning the World Boxing Council World Heavyweight title by 12 round unanimous decision from BermaneStiverne at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in his first defense on Saturday evening, January 17, 2015, broadcast on Showtime as the main event. At 6’7” and 219 pounds, Wilder looks like a young heavyweight version of Antonio Tarver. For Wilder, sticking and moving on the shorter, heavier and stockier Stiverne was easy. The title bout was an entertaining mismatch. Both fighters were serious, and out for each other’s blood, which made the bout interesting.
Both fighters appeared trough, and neither fighter was able to move the other with their power shots. With the element of chin removed, Wilder was simply the busier boxer, landing 227 of 621 punches overall. Stiverne landed 110 of 217 punches, just not enough to stay competitive. With few jabs and little bodywork demonstrated in the power shot war, Stiverne swung wildly and frequently missed in haymaker desperation.
In a strange moment, Stiverne pitched forward off balance after getting hit by a punch, sending himself, Wilder, and referee Tony Weeks to the canvas in a corner at the end of round two. There were a few rated exchanges, but when both men realized their power would not suffice, the bout became a technical war, which for Wilder meant he won most rounds on points. Perhaps Stiverne won the fourth and six rounds by landing a few more power shots than Wilder, but that was all Stiverne offered in terms of winning a round.
Referee Tony Weeks separated the two warriors at the end of each round, but essentially wasn’t needed. Once, Weeks separated the two fighters leaning on each other on the ropes during a lull, but they were not holding each other. The bout appeared clean, it was just a mismatch. As to whether Wilder will not pursue the other recognized world heavyweight champion, WladimirKlitschko, in a unification match later in 2015, remains to be seen.
Wilder is not 33-0, 32 knockouts, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Stiverne is now 24-2, 21 knockouts, Las Vegas, Nevada by way of La Plaine, Haiti.
Result: Deontay Wilder Win 12 Bermane Stiverne, Heavyweights
Wilder wins World Boxing Council World Heavyweight Title
Scoring: 120-107, 119-108, 118-109 for Wilder. Referee: Tony Weeks
MGM Grand Las Vegas Undercard Bouts
Leo Santa Cruz TKO 8 Jesus Ruiz, Super Bantamweights (0:29) Televised Bout
Santa Cruz, now 29-0-1 with 17 knockouts, Huetamo, Mexico, was busy and accurate, landing 227 punches to 120 by Ruiz, retains WBC World Super Bantamweight title.
Amir Imam TKO Fidel Maldonado Jr., Super Lightweights (2:59) Televised Bout
Imam down once, Maldonado down four times in slugfest. Imam, 16-0 with 14 knockouts, Albany, New York, a Don King Prospect, wins WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight title. Imam on all fours, beat count, bout then stopped by referee Robert Byrd.
Vyacheslav Shabranskyy RTD 9 Garrett Wilson, Cruiserweights (3:00)
Shabrankskyy, of the Ukraine, ranked 19th by BoxRec as a light heavyweight, is now 11-0. Philadelphia cruiserweight Garrett Wilson, a former USBA and NABF titleholder, lost his four straight bout in less than two years, and probably reached the end of his career. Wilson’s last four bouts have been over world ranked contenders and champions with a combined record of 65-3-2. Largely inactive except for cash out bouts arranged with his management, Wilson’s career was set up for failure. A muscular power hitter with little technical skill, Wilson still had promise. His management sent him to the wolves for a price.
Eric Molina TKO 8 Raphael Zumbrano Love, Heavyweights (1:28)
Strange Texas heavyweight Molina, who couldn’t go one with Chris Arreola, wins fifth straight by stopping Brazilian and South American Heavyweight champion Love.
Cesar Quinonez (Debut) TKO 2 Joan Valenzuela, Super Lightweights (2:13) Opening Bout
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