WBC champ Wilder wins again
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Deontay Wilder has taken the first step toward claiming another heavyweight title belt by year’s end.
Now, all the WBC champion can do is wait and hope for a much more high-profile fight than he’s had lately.
Wilder stopped challenger Gerald Washington in the fifth round Saturday night at Legacy Arena in his return from surgeries to repair a broken right hand and torn right biceps. Much more marketable matchups potentially await, eventually.
Patience worked out well for Wilder in the ring. Now, he can use some outside it.
WBO champion Joseph Parker, who was ringside for Wilder’s fight, is scheduled to fight Hughie Fury though a date hasn’t been announced. Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko meet April 29 at London’s Wembley Stadium for Joshua’s IBF title and the vacant WBA crown.
“Out of that mix, you’ve got three guys that are going to come out,” said Wilder’s trainer, Jay Deas. “Deontay’s already come out, so he’s in the winner’s bracket. Now, you’ve got either Fury or Parker are going to win and Klitschko or Joshua’s going to win. Whoever comes out of that mix is the other two. We want whichever one’s available first, and we’ll go anywhere.”
Wilder (38-0, 37 knockouts) has clearly targeted Parker (22-0, 18 KOs) for a summer bout that would mark his sixth title defense. He said he’d be open to traveling to New Zealand for Parker’s fight with Fury, Tyson Fury’s cousin.
“If we made a deal, I’m there,” Wilder said. “I think my people and Joseph Parker’s people know what each other wants. I want to unify.”
His last two scheduled opponents – Alexander Povetkin and Andrzej Wawrzyk – both tested positive for banned substances, forcing Wilder to find substitute opponents.
Washington (18-1-1) held his own with Wilder for the first four rounds and led on two judges’ scorecards before the fateful fifth.
Pacquiao, Khan to fight April 23: WBO world welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan said they have agreed to terms for a fight April 23.
The boxers’ promoters are yet to announce any details. Golden Boy Promotions, Khan’s promoter, didn’t reply to a request from the Associated Press Sunday for confirmation.
Pacquiao, who came out of retirement to win the WBO belt by beating Jesse Vargas in November, said on his Twitter account he is fighting Khan because “this is what the fans wanted.” Pacquiao’s followers on Twitter recently voted for Khan to be the 38-year-old Filipino’s next opponent, ahead of Jeff Horn of Australia, Terence Crawford of the United States or Kell Brook of Britain.
Khan hasn’t fought since stepping up to middleweight and getting knocked out by WBC champion Canelo Alvarez in May. He described the bout against Pacquiao as a “super fight.”
Khan and Pacquiao used to be sparring partners under trainer Freddie Roach. Khan left Roach in 2012.
April 23 is a Sunday, which suggests the fight could take place outside the United States or Britain. Pacquiao previously said he would next fight in the United Arab Emirates.