Deontay “The Hope” Wilder
DEONTAY WILDER MARCHES ON WITH “SO-SO” FOE
Los Angeles, CA- Tonight the Showtime boxing series “ShoBox” heads to the Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, CA. The main event of this tripleheader is a heavyweight clash between unbeaten 2008 United States Olympic Bronze medalist Deontay Wilder (28-0, 28 KOs) and former champion Sergei Liakhovich (25-5, 16 KOs). Liakhovich, who had not entered the ring in 16 months, represents Wilder’s toughest test to date. Deontay had been in there with some real bums, and Sergei is just a slight step above. Wilder will retain his perfect stoppage percentage, as Liakhovich looks ready to fold once the first Bronze Bomb lands on his chin.
UNDERCARD HAS MEXICAN OLYMPIAN ON TAP
On the undercard, Mexican Olympian Fernando Vargas (16-0-1, 13 KOs) takes on fellow unbeaten Brandon Bennett (16-0, 7 KOs) of Cincinnati, OH in a meaningful junior lightweight (130 LB.) battle. This fight continues the recent trend of competitive matchups put together by Golden Boy, and is admittedly a tough one to bet on. I’m leaving towards Vargas, who has looked more impressive thus far.
TELEVISION CURTAINRAISER
Kicking off the televised card is a junior middleweight bout between Jermall Charlo (14-0, 10 KO) and Antwone Smith (23-4-1, 12 KO). Charlo will essentially be facing a middleweight, as Smith weighed in at 159. Though this too is a competitive fight, I expect Charlo to get the W.
Zak “Attack” Young