The Boxing world focused it’s attention on the Legacy
Arena in Birmingham, AL on September 26th when undefeated WBC Heavyweight world
champion and knockout artist Deontay Wilder made the second defense of his
world title against WBC number eleven rated contender Johann Duhaupas of
France. As this observer stated in the
week prior to the fight, stylistically it was a bout that appeared to favor
Wilder due in large part to Duhaupas’ tendency to fight out of a high defensive
guard, and not use much lateral or head movement. Although Johann Duhaupas was
a former European Heavyweight champion he entered into this fight largely
unknown by American Boxing fans. Despite being lightly regarded, Duhaupas did
enter into his challenge of Wilder having won thirty-two of thirty-four
professional fights and was a fighter who had never been stopped inside the
distance in his career.
The battle between Deontay Wilder and Johann Duhaupas can
best be described as an underdog showing his mettle and providing a significant
test for a young and unbeaten champion. For eleven rounds Johann Duhaupas was
able to put more pressure on Wilder than any of Wilder’s previous opponents.
Duhaupas however, was only able to be sporadically successful in executing his
offense.
Despite the near non-stop pressure put forth by the
challenger, Wilder showed that he would not wilt under pressure and gradually
administered a beating to Duhaupas as he pressed forward. Although he was
battered throughout most of the fight prior to it being stopped in the eleventh
round Johann Duhaupas proved that he is a fighter that should be respected
across the globe. It was a brave performance by a challenger who had been
dismissed by some prior to his challenge of Wilder, a fighter who has thus far
proven to be very difficult to go the distance with. Only former WBC Heavyweight
world champion Bermane Stiverne can claim to have lasted a full fight with
Deontay Wilder.
Although Johann Duhaupas fell short of going the distance
and said that he will continue his career in Europe following the fight, this
observer believes that Duhaupas should be given another opportunity to show what
he can do here in the United States. Whether or not that opportunity would come
against a rising prospect or someone considered to be a top contender is
something that could be debated. In this observer’s eyes however, Duhaupas
proved to be an extremely tough opponent for Wilder and should be considered as
a fighter who could give any prospect or contender a tough fight.
As for Deontay Wilder, he did what he was expected to do.
He successfully defended his title and was able to score a knockout win despite
being pressured like he had never been before in his career. Although critics
of Wilder likely remain, Wilder continues to do all you can really ask of a
fighter. He continues to defeat all opposition placed before him.
Wilder will now look to defend his world championship
against longtime contender and current WBC number one rated contender Alexander
Povetkin in the near future. It will be interesting to see whether Povetkin,
who has a good mix of hand speed and punching power will be able to put forth
the type pressure that Johann Duhaupas was able to against Wilder and whether
he can do so without taking the punishment that Duhaupas did.
Although Wilder will have a size and reach advantage over
Povetkin when that fight takes place, it will also be interesting to see what
adjustments if any Wilder will make to a fighter who will be looking to put
pressure on him. Deontay Wilder’s performance against Johann Duhaupas was an
impressive performance from the standpoint of seeing how Wilder would respond
to being significantly pressured throughout the course of an entire fight.
Wilder showed that he can put forth a high offensive output even during the
course of a long fight where he appeared to show effects of fatigue in the late
rounds. Whether or not Wilder will be able to deal with a fighter in Povetkin
who will look to pressure him, but is someone that is quicker than Duhaupas
remains to be seen.
Although the fight between Wilder and Duhaupas proved to
be lopsided in Wilder’s favor, it was an entertaining fight that headlined an
overall entertaining evening of Boxing. Despite the ratings for the card, which
was broadcast by NBC as part of the Premier Boxing Champions series being
called disappointing by some, Wilder-Duhaupas did succeed in bringing a World
Heavyweight championship fight back to over the air broadcast television in
prime time in the United States for the first time in over thirty years and did
have over two million people tuning in to watch the fight.
Even though some may call the ratings for this card
disappointing, this observer considers it successful in the sense of what the
main event did in giving a fight for a World Heavyweight championship an
opportunity to be seen by masses of people without the requirement of a
cable/satellite subscription or a pay-per-view price tag. It is something that
should not be seen as a disappointment, but rather something that could be used
to build upon for future Premier Boxing Champions cards.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau
Denison All Rights Reserved.
