A Look At Stiverne-Wilder

As 2014 drew to a close, one of the interesting storylines that some feel could play out in 2015 is the potential unification of the Heavyweight division. Before any talk of a unification bout to determine an undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world can take place however, a fight that has become one of the more anticipated fights in the division in recent times will take place this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Current WBC Heavyweight world champion Bermane Stiverne will make the first defense of his world title against undefeated current WBC number one contender Deontay Wilder at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Stiverne, the first Haitian to become a World Heavyweight champion, won the vacant WBC world title in May of last year when he scored a sixth round stoppage in his rematch with top contender Chris Arreola. In scoring his second victory over Arreola, Stiverne not only made Boxing history, but also became one of two world champions in the Heavyweight division joining unified IBF/WBA/WBO/IBO world champion Wladimir Klitschko.

The dominance of what this observer has often referred to as “The Two-Headed Heavyweight Championship Monster” known as the Klitschko brothers has for the moment been broken by former WBC champion Vitali Klitschko’s retirement. I stated prior to Stiverne’s rematch with Chris Arreola that no matter whom would emerge victorious as the new WBC world champion in the Heavyweight division that the winner would face a different battle. The battle for recognition that many past champions who succeeded fighters who had dominant reigns as world champion have had to take on. 

Stiverne’s first title defense will come in the form of the undefeated Deontay Wilder. Wilder, the 2008 Olympic Heavyweight Bronze Medalist has compiled thirty-two victories as a professional, winning all of those bouts by knockout. Wilder’s knockout streak is certainly one of the most impressive in the history of the entire sport as well as the Heavyweight division.

Some critics however, have stated that Wilder has not faced fighters who most consider top contenders. The criticism of Wilder’s level of opposition by some notwithstanding, his knockout streak is something that does deserve respect. Wilder has also been able to score knockout wins over fighters such as Jason Gavern, Audley Harrison, Malik Scott, and most notably over former WBO Heavyweight world champion Sergei Liakhovich. Even though the criticism in this observer’s eyes has been based on how quickly Wilder has been able to score these knockouts, as no opponent has been able to extend Wilder beyond four rounds, this observer believes that whatever criticism still exists regarding Wilder will be answered as he is now fighting at the top level of the Heavyweight division.

From a stylistic standpoint the fight between Stiverne and Wilder has the makings of what could be a shootout. Although Wilder, who has never gone the distance in his career is favored to win the WBC title over Stiverne, it is important to remember despite Wilder’s knockout streak, Stiverne comes into this fight with not only the WBC title, but also a career knockout percentage of over 80% in twenty-six professional fights. Stiverne, who has won twenty-four of those twenty-six bouts has been undefeated for nearly eight years since losing via what some feel was a controversial stoppage to journeyman Heavyweight Demetrice King in July 2007 and earning a draw against Charles Davis in April 2009. 

It will be interesting to see whether Stiverne will attempt a tactical approach in this fight and look to extend Wilder into the middle and late rounds. It will however, be equally as interesting to see if Wilder will look to conserve his stamina and not go for a quick knockout.

In thinking about this fight over the last couple of weeks, I started to have thoughts of the similarities between this fight between Stiverne and Wilder and the fight between former Heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick and a twenty year-old Phenom named Mike Tyson in November 1986. Much like the fight between Stiverne and Wilder, Berbick-Tyson was also for the WBC Heavyweight world championship.  As will be the case when Stiverne and Wilder enter the ring to do battle the fight between Berbick and Tyson pitted a champion in Berbick who was making his first title defense going against a fighter who like Wilder compiled an impressive undefeated record stopping twenty-five of twenty-seven opponents before challenging Berbick. Much like Wilder, Tyson was also considered a favorite prior to the fight to dethrone Berbick.

When Berbick and Tyson met on November 22, 1986 it served as the culmination of one fighter’s rise to a top of the Heavyweight division. Tyson scored a second round knockout of Berbick to win the WBC title and at age twenty became the youngest Heavyweight champion in Boxing history, a distinction that Tyson still holds to this day.

While the twenty-nine year old Deontay Wilder will not be attempting to become the youngest Heavyweight champion in history when he faces Stiverne, he will be attempting to become the first American to hold a Heavyweight world championship in nearly eight years. If Wilder is successful against Stiverne, he will become the first American Heavyweight champion since Shannon Briggs, who held the WBO Heavyweight world championship from 2006-2007 who lost his title in June 2007 to Sultan Ibragimov via twelve round unanimous decision.

Although Wilder is favored over the champion Bermane Stiverne, as this observer has often said over the years “Anything can happen at any given time in the sport of Boxing and that is what makes our sport great.” This is especially true in regard to the Heavyweight division.

Granted there may be some similarities between Mike Tyson’s fight against Trevor Berbick and the lead up to this fight between Stiverne and Wilder. Can the knockout artist in Wilder dethrone Stiverne? Yes this may be a similar scenario as when Tyson met Berbick for the WBC world championship nearly twenty-nine years ago, it does not however, necessarily mean that the similarities between that fight and this fight between Stiverne and Wilder will produce a similar outcome.

The outcome of the fight between Bermane Stiverne and Deontay Wilder will not only center on who will emerge with the WBC Heavyweight world championship, but also and perhaps more importantly, the winner of this fight could theoretically be in position to face Wladimir Klitschko for the undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world. With so much at stake for both champion and challenger the Boxing world now focuses its attention on the first Heavyweight championship fight of 2015. One can hardly wait to see what happens on Saturday night.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison 

 

What’s Next For Dusty Hernandez-Harrison Following Win Over Rainone?

There is one scenario in the sport of Boxing that everyone can identify with.  A fighter working his way up the ranks and becoming a prospect. As that fighter generates interest and continues his rise the question that is often asked is when that fighter will go from a prospect to a contender?  Highly touted Welterweight prospect Dusty Hernandez-Harrison has become a fighter that should be viewed as a rising star in the 147lb. Welterweight division.  

Hernandez-Harrison, a native of Washington, D.C. had an outstanding amateur career winning one hundred seventy-three of two hundred amateur fights. Following his amateur career, Hernandez-Harrison turned pro in 2011 compiling twenty-four victories, and in the process quickly has emerged as a prospect to watch.

In November of last year Hernandez-Harrison scored a first round knockout over veteran contender Michael Clark. The twenty year-old Hernandez-Harrison stepped back in the ring on January 9th in the Theater at Madison Square Garden against Tommy Rainone in a bout for the WBC Continental-America’s Welterweight championship.

What impressed me about Hernandez-Harrison’s performance in this fight was the consistent pressure that he put forth against Rainone, who attempted to be an elusive target as he used lateral movement to try to land punches and maintain distance. Despite having some difficulty finding Rainone early in the fight, Hernandez-Harrison’s consistent pressure, greater activity, and combination punching was the story of the fight as he would go on to win a lopsided ten round unanimous decision. Although Rainone was quite “Game” he simply could not find a way to land punches consistently on Hernandez-Harrison and could not nullify Hernandez-Harrison’s pressure. 

After what could be best described as a workmanlike performance by Hernandez-Harrison, an interesting question will be what is next for him? There is no doubt that the Welterweight division is one of the most competitive weight classes in the entire sport. Hernandez-Harrison, who entered the fight with Rainone rated number seventeen in the WBC and number fourteen in the WBO Welterweight ratings respectively would appear likely to be nearing a fight against someone in either organization’s top ten.

What titles such as the WBC’s Continental-America’s championship really mean in the overall picture is that whomever holds the title is theoretically approaching status as a top contender as was the case with Deontay Wilder, who will be fighting for the WBC world championship in the Heavyweight division this weekend now as the WBC’s number one rated Heavyweight contender.

In regard to the Welterweight division there are a few possible future opponents for Hernandez-Harrison that I believe could potentially lead to a title shot down the line. Names such as Sadam Ali, Jeff Horn, Josesito Lopez, Yoshihiro Kamegai, and David Avanesyan could all present an interesting fight for Hernandez-Harrison.

A conundrum that can present itself for those who handle the career of a fighter and something that can be the subject of much debate among both fans and experts alike is how quickly a fighter should be moved up the ranks and pitted against top level opposition. In a division that is as talent stacked as the Welterweight division is, this could be an interesting question for a highly touted prospect such as Hernandez-Harrison.

In this observer’s opinion, although Hernandez-Harrison is only twenty years old, he has won all twenty-five of his fights as a professional and I believe he is a rising star in the Welterweight division. Whether or not Hernandez-Harrison will fight either of the fighters I mentioned as possible future opponents remains to be seen. 

One thing however, is clear Dusty Hernandez-Harrison is certainly a fighter to watch and it will be interesting to see where he goes as he continues to climb the ranks of the Welterweight division.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison 

 

What May Benefit Boxing In 2015

Often in the sport of Boxing after a year that saw plenty of action and also opened possibilities as to what may happen in the next year, topics of discussion among both Boxing fans and experts alike tend to center on what was the best fight of the previous year and/or what potential fights may be in store for the new year. Although such discussions are very interesting, what sometimes should also be talked about is what could benefit the sport as a whole in the New Year.

This observer has over the years and will continue to discuss various subjects that occur in the sport as they emerge. One thing that I have not discussed too often after a busy year is what I believe could benefit the sport as a new year begins. Even though there are likely several things that readers could say about the subject of what could benefit Boxing, I will offer three topics that in my opinion could have long-term benefits for the sport in 2015.

Many would say that one of the biggest stories in the sport in 2014 was the end of what some have called Boxing’s cold war as promoters Bob Arum and Oscar De La Hoya have stated that they are willing to work together again in order to bring fights between each promoter’s stable of fighters to fruition. Although some may be skeptical that this will be something that will last, if a working relationship between the two promoters does serve the purpose in signing fights that will draw the interest of Boxing fans it will ultimately work out for the sport’s benefit.

What may be seen as an obstacle by some however, will be the agreements between the promoters and television networks like HBO and Showtime. This observer believes that if all parties involved come together and are willing to work together in order to bring marquee fights to fruition that it will ultimately benefit not only the sport, not only the fans of the sport, but will benefit the parties involved even if it were on an occasional basis.

Another subject that to some drew attention last year which could benefit the sport in 2015 is three of the sport’s major sanctioning organizations the World Boxing Association (WBA), the World Boxing Council (WBC), and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) began meeting to discuss various issues that surround the sport of Boxing. There are some who may believe that the sport’s sanctioning organizations may not have the best interest of the sport or it’s fans. The leaders of the WBA, WBC, and IBF establishing an ongoing dialogue between each other however, should be viewed as a positive. A positive particularly if it leads to unification of each of Boxing’s seventeen weight classes in order to establish one undisputed champion per division.

This process has seemingly begun in both the Heavyweight and Light-Heavyweight divisions as there are two recognized champions in each division, Wladimir Klitschko and Bermane Stiverne in the Heavyweight division, Adonis Stevenson and Sergey Kovalev in the Light-Heavyweight division. Even though it is not set in stone that an undisputed champion will emerge in either weight class in 2015, I believe that Boxing fans should be optimistic that one champion will eventually emerge in each division.

With three of the five major sanctioning organizations establishing an ongoing dialogue, it is my hope that the leaders of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and the International Boxing Organization (IBO) eventually will be involved in these discussions with the WBA, WBC, and IBF. Much as is the case with rival promoters and television networks, if the sanctioning organizations come together and all having the same goal of improving the sport, if it can last, it will promote long-term benefits.

Finally, a subject that I feel could benefit from the ongoing dialogue between the sport’s sanctioning organizations is the subject of interim/regular “champions.” Readers over the years have become accustomed to seeing this observer refer to fighters who are designated as an interim “champion” as simply having interim/regular champion status in regard to a sanctioning organization’s ratings in any weight class.

The subject of interim/regular “champions” as well as other designated titles has led readers to ask me over the years to help them understand what it all means in the grand scheme of things. Although the purpose of having an interim status would appear to be in place if in the event a unified or undisputed champion is either injured or refuses to defend their title against a sanctioning organization’s mandatory challenger, and does serve a purpose ensuring that if a title is vacated that fighters who hold interim status either are elevated to champion or placed in a fight to determine a new champion, the concept although well-intentioned has created more confusion than it has created solutions.

Even though it has become commonplace for Boxing experts to routinely criticize and ridicule the sport’s sanctioning organizations, this observer will not criticize the organizations in this instance. I will however, offer my opinion and suggest that the concept of interim/regular/emeritus “champions” should be rethought and simplified. I applaud the leaders of the WBC, WBA, and IBF for establishing a dialogue and hope that not only it continues, but that other sanctioning organizations that are currently not involved become involved. Conferences between all five sanctioning organizations can only serve the purpose of improving the sport overall.  

The three topics I have discussed and have offered my opinion on will likely leave some with the impression that I am perhaps overly optimistic. Although all I can offer is my opinion, it is my hope in 2015 that the progress that was made in 2014 in regard to these topics will continue. 

For those who have regularly read my work over the years there has been one consistent theme throughout all the various topics that I have regularly discussed. “What will benefit the sport?” Of course, there will be those who will choose to point out the negatives of the sport. Although Boxing has had more than its share of black eyes in regard to things that has left the sport open to much ridicule, Boxing as a whole has never seen the count of ten.  Boxing as other sports continues to evolve. This can only be viewed as a “Positive!”  If everything remains the same and nothing changes, then why discuss it at all?

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison 

Happy New Year

As the Boxing world sets the stage for an action-packed 2015 The Boxing Truth® welcomes the opportunity to continue to provide our readers with accurate information, in-depth analysis, and objective opinions regarding the sport of Boxing as well as the participants and issues that surround it.   We thank all our readers for your continued support and we wish you all a Happy New Year.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”   

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.