Peter Fury: Tyson Fury v Deontay Wilder Not Possible for February 8

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Deontay Wilder now #10 in The Ring heavyweight ratings

****I would like to note that the article below is written by Scott Gilfoid.  Therefore, the bottom list of top 10 is that of Scott Gilfoid, not Deontay Wilder.****

From: BoxingNews24

By: Scott Gilfoid 

Unbeaten heavyweight knockout artist Deontay Wilder (30-0, 30 KO’s) has finally cracked the top ten in the Ring Magazine heavyweight ratings. Deontay, 6’7”, had been excluded from the ratings up until now for some odd reason despite his impressive performances in his last handful of fights, but the staff at Ring magazine has finally figured out that his talent is too hard to ignore because they’ve got him on the list now.

Here are the current Ring ratings for heavyweight

Champion: Wladimir Klitschko

1. Kubrat Pulev

2. Alexander Povetkin

3. Tomasz Adamek
4. Bermane Stiverne
5. Tyson Fury
6. Robert Helenius
7. Chris Arreola
8. Odlanier Solis
9. Ruslan Chagaev
10. Deontay Wilder

If you’re wondering why WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has been excluded from the list it’s because he hasn’t fought in the past 14 months and The Ring only rates active heavyweights rather than guys that are no longer fighting regularly for whatever reason. If and when Vitali starts fighting again, he’ll be added back to the list, but until then, he’s not going to be up there.
As far as the list goes, it’s filled with a lot of fluff heavyweights that I don’t personally rate as being top 10 or even top 20. I’d recommend removing Adamek, Solis, Fury, Chagaev and Helenius from that list, because I don’t consider them top 10 heavyweights.

Here’s my top 10 list:
1. Bermane Stiverne
2. Deontay Wilder
3. Chris Arreola
4. Bryant Jennings
5. Alexander Povetkin
6. Mike Perez
7. Kubrat Pulev
8. Alex Leapai
9. Mariusz Wach
10. Tony Thompson

My list is a lot more logical and realistic compared to the one The Ring put together with the older guys that they have. The Ring’s list has too many heavyweights from yesterday and too fluff guys that clearly don’t have the talent to be on my top 10 list. I mean, I thought Adamek was a good light heavyweight and cruiserweight, but as a heavyweight, he’s not been impressive. His recent gift decisions over Steven Cunningham and Eddie Chambers was enough for me to exclude him from my list. Tyson Fury doesn’t have the power and hasn’t looked impressive against the weak opposition on his resume.

Klitschko domination now threatened by Deontay Wilder

When David Haye recently announced his probable retirement from boxing following an extensive shoulder operation, it seemingly exposed a dearth of suitable challengers to the Klitschko brothers in the heavyweight division. Fellow Briton and potential contender Tyson Fury is now seeking a new opponent after his planned bout with Haye was cancelled.

After becoming dominant as a cruiserweight, Haye decided to face the heavyweights and showed astute tactical awareness when beating the 7ft Russian Nicolai Valuev to claim the WBA title. A toe injury was blamed for his reduced mobility when outpointed by Wladimir Klitschko in 2010, but there have been recent reports of him seeking another title fight with his conqueror or tackling brother Vitali.

The planned fight with the Fury was billed as a possible eliminator for meeting either of the Ukrainians but an eye injury followed by this latest shoulder problem has created a vacuum for the unbeaten Mancunian. As the boxing world seeks a viable alternative to the Klitschko domination, Fury must also find and defeat a credible substitute opponent to be then considered worthy a fight for the heavyweight championship.After becoming dominant as a cruiserweight, Haye decided to face the heavyweights and showed astute tactical awareness when beating the 7ft Russian Nicolai Valuev to claim the WBA title. A toe injury was blamed for his reduced mobility when outpointed by Wladimir Klitschko in 2010, but there have been recent reports of him seeking another title fight with his conqueror or tackling brother Vitali.

Latest rumours indicate that a bout with the unbeaten American Deontay Wilder may now be scheduled.

Not since the days of a younger Mike Tyson in the late 1980′s have the USA produced a fighter capable of dominating the heavyweight division. Evander Holyfield briefly tried but Tyson earned his fearsome reputation with quick knock-outs and seemingly endless aggression before succumbing to countless distractions out of the ring.

In his 30 professional fights, Wilder has never ventured beyond the fourth round and his record is reminiscent of Tyson in his formative years when under the wing of mentor and coach Cus D’Amato. The difference is that Wilder is more experienced at 28 years old and has a more settled lifestyle with a wife and two daughters to support..

The American has yet to be tested in the boxing ring and disposed of Briton Audley Harrison inside 70 seconds during April. It has also been reported that he recently sparred with David Haye and more than matched him in the ring. Tyson Fury will certainly underestimate Wilder at his peril.

Besides the American, there is also the unbeaten Cuban Luis Ortiz to consider who is less spectacular but has finished 17 of his 20 bouts inside the distance and Bryant Jennings who has won all 17 of his contents but appears to lack a genuine knock-out punch.

Hopefully, 2014 will be the year when the Klitschko supremacy is seriously challenged with several unbeaten heavyweights capable of enlivening a division which has appeared stale for several years.

Could Wilder Replace Haye?

From: ESPN.go.com
By: Dan Rafael

On Sunday, when former heavyweight titlist David Haye pulled out of his Feb. 8 all-British showdown with Tyson Fury -- the second time he pulled out, this time because of a shoulder injury that might force him to retire -- Fury promoter Mick Hennessy had a great idea for a replacement. 

He got on the phone Monday with Golden Boy chief executive Richard Schaefer to gauge his interest in making a deal for Deontay Wilder, the 2008 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist and most notable American heavyweight hope, to fill in. 

“Mick called me up and said that Haye had dropped out of the fight in February and said he’d be interested in Deontay filling in, saying they could still go on pay-per-view [in the United Kingdom], that it would still be a big fight over there,” Schaefer said. “He said the Brits like Deontay and that he made a good impression over there when he fought Audley Harrison.” 

In April, Wilder, traveled to England and blitzed the shot 2000 British Olympic gold medalist in 70 seconds. 

“I told Mick that I’m open to doing the fight and to make me an offer,” Schaefer said. “He said, ‘Let me think about it and I’ll call you back. I need to talk to [broadcaster] Sky [Sports] and I’ll call you back with an offer [Sunday] night or Monday.’” 

And then came silence. Schaefer said he has not heard from Hennessy since -- no call, no offer, no nothing. 

“When I didn’t hear from him Monday, I called him on Tuesday and he doesn’t answer his phone,” Schaefer said. “He didn’t call Wednesday, he didn’t call Thursday and he didn’t call Friday. What he should know is if the deal is right, we’re happy to go over there to England for the fight. But he hasn’t called. We’re waiting. But I told him we could do a 50-50 deal. I’ll bring U.S. television, he brings British television, we put everything in the pot.” 

I think it would be a tremendous fight and love that Wilder is willing to travel. It’s a match of two up-and-coming heavyweights, both of whom are huge. Fury (21-0, 15 KOs), 25, is 6-foot-9, 254 pounds while Wilder (30-0, 30 KOs), 28 and far less tested than Fury, is 6-7, 225 pounds. 

Schaefer said he is disappointed that Hennessy teased him with the call and never got back to him as promised. 

“Tyson Fury and his team must have realized that Tyson would get knocked out and they will go for a safer opponent,” Schaefer said.

Team Wilder Open Letter to Team Fury

Tyson, I know you are frustrated with the whole Haye situation. You are a top heavyweight with top people behind you. You want to fight the best and have always stepped up to the plate. Forget retirement. You have a long and bright future in front of you.

We at Team Wilder understand. We believe you and Deontay are the two best young heavyweights in the World and a fight between the two of you would put true heavyweight boxing back on top. We want to make this happen. This is the single biggest heavyweight fight that can be made now and the fans deserve it. You deserve it. Deontay deserves it.

You both should be paid accordingly and in line with the magnitude of the event. Every single person or corporation that would have attended, bought pay per view, sponsored, advertised or otherwise supported you vs. Haye would jump on board for you vs. Wilder.

How could they not?  Two big, athletic, gifted, tough, strong, undefeated heavyweights with personality and punch in the same ring at the same time with everything on the line!!! You vs. Haye was a domestic clash with worldwide impact. You vs. Wilder is an international clash with worldwide impact. To be clear, we are not asking for Haye money. We are asking to be respected financially for being one half of the biggest heavyweight fight of the year.

We want the fight. We are willing to come your way. We have been to the UK several times before and loved it. In fact, it’s as well as we’ve ever been treated. I grew up on Bruno, Lewis, Mason, Benn, Eubanks, Collins, Pyatt, Graham, Watson, Honeyghan and the like. (Was ringside for my friend Sumbu Kalambay vs Pyatt and watched Kel McKenzie-Paul Harvey steal the show)! Deontay wants to come your way. I do too.

Mick has my email. Time is becoming a factor. We need to have this wrapped up soon so as to keep the Feb. date.

As for credentials, I am Jay Deas, co-manager of Deontay Wilder along with Shelly Finkel and advisor Al Haymon. Our promoter is Golden Boy. I am day to day with Deontay as Peter is with you. I co-train Deontay along with Mark Breland, cut man Russ Anber and Camp Director Cuz Hill.

We look forward to hearing from your team.

Sincerely,

Jay Deas

Skyy Boxing

Deontay Wilder: Fighters are scared of my power

By Scott Gilfoid:

From: Boxingnews24.com

Heavyweight contender Deontay Wilder (30-0, 30 KO’s) is on the cusp of big things in 2014, as he expects to fight for a world title in 2014 and go on long, long title run with the straps that he picks up. But in the meantime before he gets his shot against one of the Klitschko brothers, Deontay wants to get a big named contender so that he can show the boxing world his talent.

Unfortunately, Deontay is having huge problems trying to get the top contenders to fight him, because he feels they’re afraid of his massive one-punch power. He’s tried to get fights against Tyson Fury, Dereck Chisora, Bryant Jennings, Chris Arreola and Tyson Fury and struck out each time.

It puts Deontay in the position where he has to fight lesser guys because the top contenders are dragging their heels when it comes to meeting him in the ring to show who’s the better man.Deontay told Sports Illustrated “A lot of guys are scared of me. They are scared of my power. Every man that has stood in front of me has been down…When you see a guy on the canvas twitching like they are seizing, it scares them. Fighters know I’m a risk to their careers.”

With many fighters presenting roadblocks for Deontay in keeping him from getting fights against them, it makes it tough for Deontay to be able to show what he can do to in the ring. It kind of puts Deontay in a situation where he’s literally forced to fight the middle of the road fighters simply because he’s having no luck in getting the other contenders to risk their resumes to face him.

The heavyweight division really needs champion like Deontay to bring life back into it with his exciting Mike Tyson-like performances. Deontay would be a breath of fresh air to a stagnating heavyweight division. What’s going to be interesting is to see how many KOs Deontay can get before his first opponent is able to go the distance. If Deontay can past 45 to capture the heavyweight record for consecutive KO’s, he’s going to be really drumming up a great deal of excitement.

The good news is that when and if Deontay captures his first world title, he’s going to have no problems finding opponents for him to fight because everyone wants a world title shot, and Deontay would be able to pick and choose which fighters he wants to defend his title against in terms of his optional title defenses.

Deontay Wilder: Why are the Top 15 contenders not fighting him?

(Photo credit: Showtime) 

By Jay Kilby

Heavyweight contender Deontay Wilder (30-0, 30 KO’s) has been taking a great deal of heat for not fighting the top 15 contenders in the division while building up his impressive KO record. However, Deontay’s cutman Russ Anber puts the blame on the top 15 contenders for failing to step in the ring with Deontay so that he can show off his stuff to the boxing world.

Anber said on his twitter “Don’t ask @bronzebomber why he’s not fighting guys in the top 15. Ask guys in the top 15 why they’re not fighting him?”

When someone chimed in saying that Deontay supposedly turned down a fight against Tyson Fury, Anber said “Bulls***! Where did you get your information from?”

It’s tough being Deontay because none of the top fighters want to step inside the ring with him, including the champions. Deontay is literally being forced to fight his way into a mandatory title position, which takes many years to accomplish, just to get a title shot. He’s not ne of those contenders that gets picked out by one of the champions for an optional title defense. Those type of guys are selected based on them not being a treat to the champion. Deontay’s not getting that kind of treatment due to his huge punching power in both hands, and I suspect that won’t change anytime soon. The champions are going to stay away from Deontay because he has the kind of power to end a fight with a single shot, and no one wants to take a risk in fighting a talented guy like that, no one.

In his last fight, Deontay blew away a very good Nicolai Firtha in 4 rounds on Showtime. It was scary to see how powerful Deontay was in that fight because not only was he throwing lethal shots with his right hand, he was also showing bone crushing power with his left hook as well. It was impressive to see because the last time the heavyweight division had a fighter with the kind of punching power and exciting fighting style that Deontay has was when Mike Tyson was in his prime. He was the type o guy that would put on incredible punching displays, and the division has been missing that ever since Tyson retired. It looks like we have a new Tyson with the 28-year-old Deontay. However, with the champions and top 15 contenders unwilling to get in the ring with Deontay, we’re forced to watch Deontay bludgeon the 2nd tier guys until he gets locked into a mandatory spot for a world title.

Deontay hangs out with TruFit Miami

It's getting colder here, but Deontay is staying warm in sunny Miami!  Here he is pictured with the youth of TruFit Miami.  These young men and women are future Olympic track stars!!

Deontay Wilder Lined Up To Face Malik Scott and Tony Thompson

By: Phil D. Jay
From: worldboxingnews.net

Heavyweight contender Deontay Wilder is mulling over several options for his next fight following his latest victory over Nicolai Firtha on the Hopkins v Murat undercard at the Boardwalk Hall.

At 28 years of age, Wilder has put together a faultless 30-0 record with 30 straight stoppages inside four rounds and according to manager and trainer Jay Deas, is ready to step up his opposition en route to a world title fight in 2014.

Deas told WBN that Wilder's first choice would be a clash for the vacant WBC belt against mandatory challenger Bermane Stiverne, although with current champion Vitali Klitschko ready to announce his next opponent imminently that seems unlikely.

The WBC have stated at their annual convention in Bangkok this week that Vitali will indeed make another defense of his coveted title, despite some rumors that the Ukrainian politician will confirm his retirement this year.

The "Bronze Bomber" is now set to look further down the pecking order to get closer to his championship shot as Deas mulls over opponents closer to home for Wilder, with some familiar naes in the frame.

"So far I've heard that the top three are Bermane Stiverne, Tony Thompson and Malik Scott," Deas told World Boxing News.

"I agree with Stiverne's recent comments that any fight between him and Deontay would need to be for the vacant title, so obviously if that can happen that would be pick number one.

"As for Scott and Thompson, I think the world of both of them as their accomplishments speak for themselves and I do like both fights.  They are huge American heavyweight fights and both guys would need to be compensated well to agree to any fight with Deontay.  In my view, I would take whichever is available first.  In fact, I'd bee keen to have Deontay fight one and then the other in a four-month span as I feel it will help him become a better fighter and prepare for his title shot in the future."

Wilder is currently ranked number two by the WBC behind Canadian Stiverne as the division awaits news from the elder Klitschko about his plans for a comeback.  "Dr. Ironfist" last defended his title against Manuel Charr in September 2012 and some have called for the long-time title holder to be stripped.  Klitschko has been somewhat controversially given special dispensation by the WBC to keep his strap in the midst of injury and his political commitments as the 42 year-old prepares to run for President of the Ukraine in 2015.

On the other hand, fans have been calling for Wilder to step up his opposition for the past 12 months to give a better inclination of his abilities to dethrone Klitschko, with Thompson or Scott seemingly a step in the right direction for the Tuscaloosa puncher with a big twelve months ahead.

Deontay Wilder’s options for next fight more limited now

From Boxingnews24.com

By Scott Gilfoid: 

With WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko poised to make an announcement about his next title defense in the next week or two, #3 WBC heavyweight contender Deontay Wilder (30-0, 30 KO’s) now sees his chances for a fight against Bermane Stiverne for the vacant WBC title as nonexistent now.

That’s the fight that Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer was hoping to put together in the 1st quarter of 2014 once Vitali vacated his belt or had it stripped from him by the World Boxing Council. But with Vitali showing up at the WBC’s 51st convention in Bangkok, Thailand, he’s made it clear that he intends on keeping his WBC title for a little while longer.

This means that Deontay will have to look in another direction for his next fight. He recently said that he wants to fight 6’5″ heavyweight contender Tony Thompson next if he’s game, but I’m not sure that Thompson is unless Golden Boy makes it worthwhile for him by luring him with a ton of loot to take the fight. Getting Thompson to agree to a risky fight against a talent like Deontay may prove to be all but impossible unless Golden Boy waives a lot of green stuff under Thompson’s nose to take the fight. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind taking the fight for a $100,000 or so but I don’t think Golden Boy is going to be able to come up with that kind of cash for a fight between Deontay and Thompson unless it were to be a main event type of scenario.

If Golden Boy can’t get Thompson to agree to take the fight then things are going to become a little more desperate because there aren’t too many big names in the division for him to fight. I wouldn’t mind seeing Deontay face the likes of Manuel Charr or Dereck Chisora, but getting those guys to come over to the U.S to fight Deontay will likely prove to be impossible. And you can’t expect Deontay, the more popular fighter, to go to their home countries to fight them. I mean, they would be the opponents for Deontay and little more than that, and you’re not going to get Golden Boy agreeing to have Deontay fight in England or Germany against a non-star. I think Golden Boy would gladly agree to having Deontay fight in the UK if it were against David Haye, but I sure as heck don’t see them willing to have him go to the UK to fight someone like Chisora because it’s not worth it.

Tuscaloosa's Deontay Wilder could be in line for a heavyweight title shot

By D.C. ReevesSports Writer | The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Monday, October 28, 2013 at 5:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 11:39 p.m.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. | After 30 wins and 30 knockouts, a world title shot could be next for Tuscaloosa's Deontay Wilder.

Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Wilder's promotional company, Golden Boy Promotions, said he is working on a fight between Wilder (30-0, 30 KO) and Canadian Bermane Stiverne (22-1-1, 20 KO) for the WBC heavyweight title.

Schaefer made the announcement following Wilder's fourth-round TKO of Nicolai Firtha at Boardwalk Hall on Saturday night.

Schaefer said discussions between Golden Boy and Stiverne's representatives about a potential match are ongoing.

“(Wilder-Stiverne) was the plan, that is the plan,” Schaefer said. “I'm going to do whatever is in my power to get it done because I know (Wilder) is going to do everything in the ring to make that plan come true.”

The opportunity for a world championship arises because current WBC champion Vitali Klitschko, 42, plans to run for president in his home country of Ukraine in 2015 and will likely vacate the belt.

There are a couple of hurdles, however.

First, Klitschko will have to officially notify the WBC that he is vacating the title. Schaefer believes that announcement will come in December.

The second hurdle is the WBC will have to agree to award the vacated belt to the Wilder-Steverne winner. Discussions between Schaefer and the WBC are ongoing.

Stiverne, 34, is the No. 1 contender in the WBC rankings and was scheduled to fight Klitschko for the title in August. The fight was postponed when Klitschko suffered a hand injury.

Wilder is the WBC's No. 3 contender behind Chris Arreola in the WBC's latest rankings, causing uncertainty about whether the WBC would agree to give the Stiverne-Wilder winner the title outright.

A Stiverne-Wilder bout carries more intrigue because Stiverne just beat Arreola by unanimous decision in April. Schaefer said there is the possibility for a “doubleheader,” to crown a champion; Arreola could be allowed to fight the Stiverne-Wilder winner for the belt or the less likely scenario that Wilder would get the winner of a Stivern-Arreola rematch.

“The fact is that Deontay and Arreola are both in position to fight for the heavyweight title of the world, there's no doubt about it. We'll just have to see,” Schaefer said. “I think it might be easier and more sellable from the first get-go to have Stiverne fight Wilder because they haven't fought yet.”

World title or not, a fight with Stiverne would be Wilder's biggest test to date. A win could help quiet criticism that Wilder's resume lacks a quality opponent.

“We don't really care about what people think about us or what they are saying about us,” Wilder said. “We've got a goal, we've got a plan, we're on a mission. We're going through the orders that we've got and we're keeping the plan that we have until the mission is complete.”

Schaefer believes the 28-year-old Wilder is ready for the next step.

“He has impressed me immensely. I think he really has an opportunity to become the heavyweight champion,” Schafer said. “He's terrific, he's a very charismatic guy outside of the ring, he's exactly the kind of person and personality we have been waiting (on) in the United States and hoping for to carry on the rich tradition we have for the heavyweight championship of the world.

“He is the guy I think who can do it.”