I've Decided, Wilder is the real deal!

[Enzo Mc is SHIT]

The power in that right hand is definitely real and a threat to anybody out there but there isn't any evidence yet that he has stamina, a chin or even a left hand. Hopefully Malik Scott will test him.

[Hitman932]

To be fair, that's a ****** argument to say - IF these guys boxed from a young age they would be champs etc etc, just because they are tall and athletic...the fact is they haven't and didn't - what could be or might have been is irrelevant, you can make tons of arguments like that.

And to be honest, simply height and athleticism isn't enough to make it in this sport - you will have a certain degree of success of course due to things like natural power or speed but when you meet a more complete fighter, usually due to natural qualities excluding physical elements which you just have or not have, and some of these things cannot be taught in a boxing gym, so boxing background is irrelevent...the general type of fighters you are talking about have been around - the Michael Grants and Deontay Wilders of the world...tall, athletic guys, power...even with other things like reach even going for them, still their downfall is their chin or their heart or stamina...you can't get by in this sport simply with training and physical gifts even...you need something within you - the fighter's soul. You can be the best athlete there is, if you aren't a fighter you aren't a fighter.

Never forget 2 points
- Boxing is the hardest and most unique sport of them all
- The bigger they are, the harder they fall...

I accept those points as being 100% valid and my argument is not so much that there are 30-40 guys who could be HW champ floating around in the NBA or NFL but that out of the hundreds of guys who are bigger, stronger and more athletic than Deontay Wilder or Michael Grant ever were or ever will be that there are 4-5 with the hunger and desire and determination to succeed that would have made for great boxers as well.

Make no mistake - Michael Grant and Deontay Wilder are not even in the Top- 25% when it comes to the most athletic big men in professional American sports and the fact of the matter is that Wilder has risen to the Top-10 in the world with nothing more than a little bit of athletic ability and a big punch.

[LacedUp]

You're 110% correct. Seth Mitchell is proof of the argument.

Here is a guy who didn't box until he was 23 or 24 - had a knee that was destroyed so badly he couldn't even play football - yet he made it to world class status as a boxer and fought on HBO multiple times.

By football player standards Mitchell was small, was a decent but unspectacular athlete and succeeded in football because of his football brain more than anything.

If a guy who is 6'2 230 who is nothing but a decent college linebacker and never plays in the NFL - with a bum knee - can make it as a pro boxer...

Why would anyone say that a guy who was 6'6 250lbs with way more athleticism than Mitchell and a real boxing background couldn't dominate the HW division the way the Klits have?

Tony Thompson is probably a better example. He didn't have a fight until his 30s and still made it to challenge for the title twice and is still a consensus top 10 today according to many.

The talent is out there for sure.

[Tobi.G]

This is one fighter Golden Boy should take there time with. When he ready, he can bring the title back to America. He has the hunger just needs more experiance and building.

He already wasted his time beating up 30 tomato-cans and you think he should continue doing so? But its a good step that he fights Scott next, thats a step up. But all these 30 opponents that he fought and stopped in the first round will not make him a better fighter! He looks good so far but i really think his chin is glass and he will end like Seth Mitchell.

[PainfromUkraine]

I accept those points as being 100% valid and my argument is not so much that there are 30-40 guys who could be HW champ floating around in the NBA or NFL but that out of the hundreds of guys who are bigger, stronger and more athletic than Deontay Wilder or Michael Grant ever were or ever will be that there are 4-5 with the hunger and desire and determination to succeed that would have made for great boxers as well.

Make no mistake - Michael Grant and Deontay Wilder are not even in the Top- 25% when it comes to the most athletic big men in professional American sports and the fact of the matter is that Wilder has risen to the Top-10 in the world with nothing more than a little bit of athletic ability and a big punch.

I don't deny there is certainly the potential there, but there is no way to really be sure as to their real aptitude in boxing. You say bigger and stronger, that's all well and good - but I think past a certain point size and level of raw strength is a hindrance in boxing rather than a help - increased muscle mass means you tire more quickly, too much height makes for an awkward fighter with likely no inside game and generally the movement and athleticism will diminish. I would say Grant and Wilder are just perfect examples of the type of untapped talent that would be - that's the size and weight that's the first part of the jigsaw, after that it's a lottery as to whether they can meet the other criteria.

And ok, yes, Wilder is top 10 (although that isn't much in this era) - what has he done to really achieve that ranking? Just quantity of bum wins v quality, although I do take some peoples' points about him compensating for lack of amateur experience...On the flipside, it's different from the amateurs because you usually won't come up against out of shape bums there...and if you win an Olympic medal you clearly have some skills and enough experience in the ams.

Michael Grant was similar in terms of showing his true 'potential' when he came up against Lewis, a less big and athletic guy but one that showed that skills, fighter smarts and similar qualities was more important in boxing.

[Someone88]

Could you name these teams, please.

South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury Bulldogs are the teams I can think of.

[SN!PER]

- The bigger they are, the harder they fall...

Every time I hear this quote, I think of this clip.

[Someone88]

the ones in Polynesia most likely

There are Polynesians who play in British Rugby teams as well. You're a good actor Tom which movie will you be in next?

[PainfromUkraine]

Every time I hear this quote, I think of this clip.

[-Antonio-]

Wilder is sloppy and kind of raw even. With the weak competition in the division I'm not sure that even matters.