An American boxer has not held a piece of a major world title since 2006, but this Saturday, January 17th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas undefeated Deontay Wilder attempts to take the WBC WOrld Heavyweight title from current champion Bermane Stiverne of Canada. Right now at Several Bookmakers, Wilder is favored to do so, paying (-140) with Stiverne returning at (+125). The over/under on the twelve round bout is at 7 1/2, with the over paying (+180) and the under at (-240). Wilder has a lot going for him on paper in this match. He is (32-0) with 32 KO’s and in those fights, he has gone as far as four rounds on four occasions. He is an imposing physical specimen, and at 6’7 inches tall, he will have a height and reach advantage of Stiverne. Wilder also won a Bronze Medal at the 2008 Olympics, and he is the last American to bring home a medal. Stiverne recently won the vacated WBC title with a sixth round stoppage of Chris Arreola. The stoppage was an improvement over his previous UD win over Arreola that announced his stepping up to the world stage. Stiverne, who represents Canada but is from Haiti originally has 24 stoppage wins on his (24-1-1) record. He has gone (12-0-1) in his last thirteen fights, and he has fought well under increased level of competition. Though his early career has the usual list of build up fights, Stiverne is not criticized like Wilder is for going too far in building up his record. In terms of experience, the Arreola fights are considered better tests against better opposition than anything WIlder has faced. There is a strong current of boxing people that see Stiverne as a stopping point for Wilder’s undefeated streak. The opening round, and then the first four rounds will be very telling. Stiverne is expected to have to withstand an opening rush from Wilder, and the truth is that Wilder gets, well he gets wild at times, and he needs to be more careful trying to overpower Stiverne like he has everyone else. If Stiverne can get the fight into the fifth round, he will have Wilder somewhere that he has never been, and that favors Stiverne. With Wilders lack of polish and Stiverne’s power a fast stop could come but the early rounds that factor could go either way. As the fight extends itself it should favor Stiverne.
