Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Wilder: I'm going to make sure I punish him

Deontay Wilder insists that he will make a believer of anyone who doubts his credentials by knocking out upcoming challenger Alexander Povetkin.


The WBC heavyweight champion is unbeaten in 36 fights with 35 stoppages and will make the fourth defence of his title in Povetkin's home country of Russia in May.

Wilder wants a vicious win against the veteran who unsuccessfully challenged Wladimir Klitschko three years ago to end any lingering doubts that critics might have regarding his style.

"I'm going to answer the questions people have about me - the best is yet to come for me," Wilder said on a pre-fight conference call. "It's going to be exciting while it lasts.

"This is the heavyweight division, and how I got my name with boxing and to the public is with knockouts. So I'm always thinking, and always looking for a knockout no matter what.

"This is the heavyweight division. This is what the people are coming to see. That's why I'm the most exciting heavyweight today.

"People know that 'when I go to a Deontay Wilder fight, I'm standing on the edge of my seat because the knockout is going to come'. We don't know when it's coming, but it's coming."

Wilder's sole decision was against Bermane Stiverne last year when he won the WBC strap, before three consecutive title defences ended by knockout.

The 30-year-old understands that Povetkin could repeat Stiverne's durability - but insists he will simply dish out a painful beating for the full 12 rounds if necessary.

"Sometimes you're not going to knock everybody out, I understand that, but I'm going to make sure that I abuse him," he said.

"I'm going to make sure I punish him enough that even if it goes to the scorecards, it ain't going be split. It's going to be unanimous. And we know that that means. Somebody got whooped."


Article courtesy of Sky Sports