WILL WILDER EVER BE THE SAME AGAIN?

The trilogy fight as it stands will happen, and while third fight doesn’t merit the same enthusiasm – for Deontay Wilder, it offers a glimmer of hope. Though out boxed, outworked and overwhelmed – it gets harder and harder to see what the American can do in a third fight to make all the difference. Simply put, Deontay didn’t start fast enough, he didn’t utilise his advantages and he had become far too reliant on his power. Wilder didn’t neglect the fundamentals of boxing but he did fall in love with the idea that he could put his opponent away at any given moment.

And now, the unwavering faith he had placed in his right hand, needs to be placed on his on vindication. Afterall, Wilder’s aura revolved around his unorthodox style, his self belief and most importantly his fear factor. He finished his opponents in lunging, acrobatic style without an ounce of doubt in his mind. So with the curtain dropping and weaknesses being revealed, will we now see a more apprehensive version of the Alabama fighter? Or can he adapt and survive much like Joshua, to redefine his year. The big problem is that Fury is not Ruiz. He’s much bigger, faster and a much more skilled opponent and one that without his own perfect game plan, Wilder has a slim chance of beating him. Ultimately, losing is normal and overcoming adversity is what separates the good from the great and the sooner we normalize it, the sooner we encourage the big fights to happen at the right times.

With incredible genetics and athleticism, you would be crazy to disregard Wilder’s ability to become a two-time world champion. But in boxing, sometimes people are just wrong for each other and this could well be one of those cases [with Fury]. Due to the stylistic differences and the overall toll on the body, heavyweight trilogies are hard to come by. Though remembering nights such as Patterson Johansson, Bowe Holyfield and Ali Frazier is enough to prove that when they do come along – they make for era defining moments.

Deontay Wilder has now seen two very different versions of the Gypsy King and as far as opponents go, the two are as familiar with one another as anyone else they’ve faced as professionals. Where Fury executed his game plan perfectly, the third fight now gives Wilder time to adjust, in which case you’d imagine we should see a much closer fight than what we saw in the MGM. Wilder has already weighed up his options. After scrutiny, he has decided to keep Mark Breland who threw the towel to end the February showdown. A wise decision not to remove a voice from his team but to invite an additional one. Likewise accepting the offer from the heavyweight legend George Foreman to enter his strength camp. We could see Wilder try to bring the same brawn and physical presence that helped Fury dominate second time round.

Heavyweights seem to peak a little later in their careers. Though with Deontay turning 35 this year, much like GGG in the Canelo trilogy, time is certainly working against him. The arguments and excuses help justify the third fight, but what the Bronze Bomber can bring to that third fight will justify whether we see him reclaim a place at the top of the sport.

His confidence is his backbone, it’s what makes his style work and what made him the sports most dangerous man. Should he lose it, we simply won’t see the same fighter again. A ferocious knockout, one that he’s certainly capable of, would put him right back into contention for the top spot. Though where he only has to be perfect for 2 seconds, if Fury puts him on the back foot again, those 2 seconds my cease to ever exist. So as for right now, the power is in his hands and the rhetorical question stands – will Deontay Wilder ever be the same again?

_________________________________________

Motivedia presentations