This Saturday night the “Premier Boxing Champions” series brings us a world heavyweight title fight to NBC as WBC World Champion Deontay Wilder (34-0) defends his belt against Frenchman Johann Duhaupas (32-2). The match takes plaace at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama which is basically Wilder’s hometown, contributing to make the champion a big (-3200) favorite over Duhaupas, who is returning (+1600). There is no over/under for the 12 round bout as of yet. Duhaupas has made a career fighting lesser opposition but in his recent outings against elevated competition, he defeated the well regarded Manuel Charr (28-4) in Russia and he went the distance with Erkan Teper (15-0) in a loss. Teper broke into the Heavyweight rankings top ten with a stand-out KO win over England’s David Price. His only loss prior to Teper came back in December of 2008 when he faced Francesco Pianeta for the European Heavyweight title and he has nevef been stopped or knocked down. Wilder is considered to have an athletic advantage over Duhaupas, who fights very deliberately and is hard to get out of his rythm. Wilder has 33 stoppages in his 34 total wins, and this is his second fight where he gets an exception from facing mandatory WBC challenger Alexander Povetkin (29-1). For his part, Povetkin is signed to face dangerous Polish fighter Mariusz Wach (31-1) in early November, so Wilder could be forced to face the winner of that bout should he get past Duhaupas. Over in the UK, WBA World Super Middleweight Champion Fedor Chudinov (13-0) faces Frank Buglioni (17-1-1) at Wembley Arena. Chudinov has a vast amateur career to bolster his experience level, and he earned the title belt via split decision, defeating Felix Sturm in Germany. Buglioni sometimes gets lost in the mix in England since the weight class is stacked with the likes of James DeGale, George Groves and Callum Smith, but he has helt he European title in the weight class. The line sees Chudinov heavily favored at (-900), with Buglioni coming back at (+600). Experienced welterweight paulie Malignaggi is fighting up to 8 rounds at the Teatro Principe in Milan, Italy as he faces journeyman Laszlo Fazekas. Malignaggi is a prohibitive (-16000) favorite, with Fazekas returning (+4000).
