By Fatih Eroglu
Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder picked up another victory to retain his WBC title last night in his home state of Alabama against contender Gerald Washington.
The Bronze Bomber picked up his 38th win via TKO in the 5th round. Like most of his fights, Wilder started off slow and couldn’t get his flow in the early rounds, as Washington was in control most of the fight. Wilder was not used to fighting someone closer to his height and that may have been a challenge for him. We know he had surgery on his right hand which may have caused his slow start making him tentative to throw it.
As for Gerald Washington he had an opportunity to beat Wilder. He was the the underdog heading into the fight and wanted to prove the critics wrong. The fight was going his way as he was in control the majority of the fight. Washington was able to land clean jabs throughout the fight by utilizing his reach against the Bronze Bomber. In the 5th round, both fighters were trading blows and then Wilder was able to execute a series of punches that knocked out Washington.
Washington was able to hang tough with Wilder, but it was Wilder that came out victorious. As Washington suffered his first career loss, you have to wonder what his next move is going to be.
After the fight, Wilder was very humbled as he was able to get another win in his home state. He then said he wants to fight fast rising New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker next. With Wilder proving his dominance, he is taking his career to a different level in the heavyweight division.
