With their fight less than a month away, hard-hitting WBC World Champion Bermane “B. Ware” Stiverne and undefeated heavyweight contender Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder participated in a media teleconference call on Thursday to discuss their eagerly anticipated heavyweight world title fight.
Since suffering his lone loss in July 2007, Stiverne (24-1-1, 21 KOs) has emerged as one of the world’s best heavyweights. In his last 13 starts, the first-ever Haiti-born boxer to own a heavyweight crown is 12-0-1, with 10 of the victories coming inside the distance.
His challenger – the 6-foot-7 Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs) – hasn’t come close to putting in a full night’s work. The 2008 US Olympic bronze medalist has gone four full rounds just once since turning pro, knocking out all of his opponents.
Here’s what both fighters had to say:
BERMANE STIVERNE, WBC heavyweight champion
“To be a role model to the kids & people in Haiti is all motivation to me.
“He’s fought nobody, I always train like I’m fighting the best out there.
“As far as a game plan, all I can say is ‘Don’t Blink!’. Watch the action on January 17th. I can show you better than I can tell you.
“The belt is great, it’s meant a lot but I’m still hungry. I still want more.
“Defending my title in Vegas at the MGM Grand is a dream. Nobody will beat me. This belt isn’t going anywhere. It is going to be a short night and it’s going to be painful.”
DEONTAY WILDER, undefeated heavyweight contender
“I have a chance to shock the world and I just can’t wait for it.
“I think this is the most anticipated heavyweight bout in a long time, there’s a lot of energy in my home city (Tuscaloosa, Alabama).
“This is my time. This is me! I don’t want to be compared to other fighters. I want to build my own legacy.
“I’m not your average heavyweight. I go to work all day, every day as if it’s my 9 to 5 job.
“I don’t get paid for overtime so why go all the way? That’s why I finish things early in the ring.
“I don’t want anyone to make excuses to me. I don’t want people to discredit me anymore. But the time has come to change that.
“I have heard nothing but excuses for my 32 wins by KO and when I get 33, I don’t want to hear anything about it.
“I can’t let my ultimate number one fan, my daughter, down on January 17th. I’m going to fulfill my promise to her to be world champ.
“I can’t wait! I’m so passionate about this fight. I wish it were tomorrow.
“I have no doubt at the end of this fight my hand will be raised as the new heavyweight champion of the world.”
Stiverne vs. Wilder, a 12-round bout for Stiverne’s WBC heavyweight title, is co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions. Leo Santa Cruz defends against a challenger to be announced in the co-main feature. The Showtime Championship Boxing event will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., and will air live on SHOWTIME (10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT).
