Wilder vs Breazeale — Reflections from Brooklyn
Knockout number 40 for Wilder, another yearly title defence for Gary Russell Jr and Argenis Mendez on the receiving end of a dubious verdict
Deontay Wilder KO 1 Dominic Breazeale
Deontay Wilder has experienced somewhat of an identity crisis outside of the squared circle. The juxtaposition of a man who wants to be a humble, peaceful generational leader next to a man who will say anything to withhold the mystique which he feels befits that of a so called “baddest man on the planet” is one that has annoyed many and confused even more as time has gone on. There was personal animosity between himself and Dominic Breazeale, fostered over two year ago in a hotel lobby in Alabama. But to those who either know or follow Wilder, even in the midst of an authentic feud, it was still hard to buy the intense blood curdling threats he was selling us.
But once Wilder steps inside of that ring, his identity becomes as clear as day. An aimless flailing street-fighter at the worst of times, but once he paws out his jab and detonates that right hand, you are once again reminded why he is where he is. As big an underdog as Dominic Breazeale was, he still meets a criteria of men within the division capable of posing issues to an unapologetically flawed ring technician like Wilder is. With that being said, a man with slow hands and a stiff upper board is primed for the chopping board against the Bronze Bomber, and despite clipping the champion in an exchange, Breazeale found out that Wilder can move his feet across the ring to meet him quicker than he can bring his hands up to guard his face. The challenger was splattered, discombobulated and now resigned to a future career as an internet meme.
As for the future of Wilder, that, like his fighting style, one filled with uncertainty. A quest to become undisputed champion could pull him in one direction whilst a quest to settle the score with a twinkle toed Gypsy King could pull him in another one. The next foe is unlikely to be either of the aforementioned, as Wilder now appears to be on a short term crash course in brand strategy and audience expansion to increase that pot of gold at the end of the line.
Given his well documented pugilistic inadequacies, this may seem a dangerous risk to play. However when you have the ability to go viral every time your fist meets the dome of whomever you are the ring with, it’s unsurprising that those pulling the strings in the background would chose this specific route to go down. Let the bodies hit the floor and let the millions roll in.
Gary Russell Jr TKO 5 Kiko Martinez
Kiko Martinez has been able to reap the benefit of a long career filled with upsets, rebound victories and high octane action thrillers within the lower weight classes. However he was always on a hiding to nothing versus Gary Russell Jr, a man who exhausted as much energy in his ring walk as he did during 15 minutes of fisticuffs. Russell’s talent is self-evident, fleet fisted and ring savvy like few others, but despite voiced intentions to the contrary, fans are resigned to waiting another 12 months for the next Russell appearance. Russell was quick to call out fellow stablemate and featherweight beltholder Leo Santa Cruz for a perceived unwillingness to lock horns. That fight should’ve happened by now, but at this stage, anyone credible would suffice for both men. Here’s to hoping.
Juan Heraldez D10 Argenis Mendez
A nip and tuck battle between a young hopeful and a wily veteran. Mendez at times exhibited ex-world champion level skill. Heraldez may reflect and build on this baptism of fire for his first fight on a high profile card. Both men had to recover after being stunned by the other. A relatively intriguing opener to proceedings.
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