Deontay Wilder continued his streak of knocking out every opponent he faces this weekend on Showtime, crushing former champ Siarhei Liakovich with 1:43 left in the first round. After recording his 17th career first-round KO, Wilder said, “I don’t like to stick around because I’m not getting paid for overtime.”
Wilder's record makes him look more impressive than he may actually be because most of his opponents to this point were complete stiffs. Recently, however, Wilder has made progress, defeating multiple former titleholders and fighters with some pedigree. Though he is still yet to face someone of his ability in his prime, that may change in the near future because 29 knockouts are 29 knockouts and that sells tickets.
Just before Wilder's fight, former champ David Haye asked him to cross the pond to help Haye train for his bout against Tyson Fury on Sept. 28. Haye is a former multi-division champion who, like many other heavyweights, lost his belts to the Klitchko's. Haye is quick, mentally tough and can sell the hell out of a fight, all attitudes Wilder can learn from without sacrificing anything in the ring.
If sparring isn't enough action for Wilder, he also has his eye on a Sept. 6 fight between two American heavyweights, Seth Mitchell and Chris Arreola. Both are vying for a shot against a Klitschko, but those are few and far between. Wilder could be matched against the winner or the loser. Both would be a test for the 27-year old from Alabama.
For now, Wilder is relishing in the win before making a quick decision.
"I wouldn't mind going to England to help David out against Tyson Fury. We're looking at a lot of things, because I've got a lot of other things going on, too. So we'll see what happens. … I haven't decided where I'll be yet. As far as having the winner of that fight, that would be great. That would be great for boxing, that would be great for the fans, and I'm ready for whoever."
If he keeps knocking people out, it won't be who he is ready for that matchmakers are worried about. Though Wilder has silenced those who questioned his ability due to his soft fighting schedule towards the beginning of his career, the next year will determine whether Wilder is a future champ or a glorified one-hitter quitter.
