Deontay Wilder has had a tough time as of late after suffering two consecutive defeats. It’s currently unknown whether the ‘Bronze Bomber’ will fight again, but that hasn’t stopped a reigning British world champion calling out the American.
Just four years ago, Wilder was the WBC heavyweight champion and his undefeated record stood at 42-0-1, but four defeats in his last five fights has since the 38-year-old’s career take a turbulent turn.
He was beaten comprehensively on points by Joseph Parker in December, and then suffered a crushing fifth round knockout defeat to Zhilei Zhang in June, all but ending any potential chance of seeing a long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua.
Another British rival has now thrown his hat into the ring though, after WBC bridgerweight champion Lawrence Okolie has offered to face Wilder at bridgerweight.
The bridgerweight weight limit is 224lbs, with Wilder regularly weighing less than that, and Okolie has told reporters that he feels ‘The Bronze Bomber’ would be more than capable of competing in that division.
“It would be fantastic. I think he will perform well at the weight because I think the majority of the fights he has lost lately have been because the fighters are just too big. When he is boxing the likes of Tyson Fury who outweighs him by 30,40 or 50 pounds, the same as Zheili Zhang, then it’s like that explosive power is not the same.
“If you’re 102kg and you’re fighting someone 108kg man then it’s not so bad but if you’re fighting someone at 118kg or 120kg, then the weight is going to show a little bit because the punches get soaked up a little bit more.
“I think it would be a great fight and he’ll always have what leaves people late and that’s his punching power and the name – Deontay Wilder. If I’m boxing Wilder, no matter what I say, I’m going to be a little bit apprehensive and think, ‘okay let’s see what his power is like’. I think it’s a great fight.”
Okolie also broke down how he would go about taking on Wilder, who has earned 42 knockouts from the 43 victories in his professional career.
“I would have to go and get him because he’s a little bit taller than me and might have a little bit longer reach. I would have to be either be too far distanced for him to land and then be able to cover the distance well enough to get my shots off, and then rinse and repeat.
“It’s a mix between what Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker did. I don’t have the length or style of Fury, and I don’t have the short stocky way that Parker went for him so it’s a sort of like a hybrid between the two where you have a boxing match which I’m definitely a better mover and together boxer than he is.
“However, he is still very athletic so he can jump out of the way of danger and jump into it back quickly, so I have to be switched on defensively and when it’s time to attack, I have to attack. Hopefully with the youth, and being very strong for my weight, I am enjoying my time at bridgerweight so when it gets to the middle rounds with his age and the damage, he has taken over the years, we can hopefully get the stoppage in the middle rounds.
“There are not many fighters who get to 38 years old and are better than they were at 28, something I’m very aware of. I’ve still got my career and I’m 31 now. I don’t expect to be hanging around for that long but for these guys, it’s all they know and it’s their bread and butter.
“They believe they can still keep going and as I said, if I’m boxing Wilder then it’ll still be a hard night’s work because he’s got long, strong punching power and is an explosive mover. He’s always got a point to prove and a chip on his shoulder. Do I think he is past his best? Yes. But he’s still dangerous and has been a world heavyweight champion.”
Okolie has been linked with an appearance on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol bill in Saudi Arabia on October 12, with an official announcement on that undercard expected soon.
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