WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder set his sights on Anthony Joshua after defending his world title with a brutal first-round knockout of Dominic Breazeale in New York. (photo by Ryan Hafey)
Wilder sent Breazeale crashing to the canvas with a steamroller right hand just two minutes and 17 seconds into the opener at the Barclays Center.
The devastating knockout extended the 33-year-old’s unbeaten record to 41 wins and a draw from 42 bouts.
Wilder, who drew with Tyson Fury in his last fight in December, and unbeaten WBO, WBA, IBO and IBF champion Joshua have struggled to agree terms on a bout in the past.
Wilder also believes a rematch with Fury is on the cards. Despite two knockdowns, many felt Fury had outboxed Wilder only for the fight to end in a controversial draw.
Retired fighter turned broadcaster Matthew Macklin believes the recent win by Wilder has now made the fight with Joshua an even bigger proposition on every level.
"I think the excitement that's there right now they could pack out any stadium in the UK, they could pack out any arena here," said Macklin.
"[Widler has] devastating power, absolutely devastating. I don't remember seeing a heavyweight as dangerous as explosive or as exciting since a young Mike Tyson was blowing everyone away in a round or two. That right hand landed bang on the button. He went to throw a left hook, Dominic Breazeale, and the right hand beats the left hook every time. It just absolutely flattened him.
"I think he's very explosive, he's got great leverage. He gets massive power behind it. Obviously heavy-handed as well, but that is god given power. You can't teach someone to punch like that.
"Lifting weights, you can always improve punching power, but genuinely you can either punch or you can't, and he is one naturally massive concussive one-punch knockout specialist."
2023-10-23 07:50:35
