Deontay Wilder v Artur Szpilka: Preview of the WBC world heavyweight title fight

Your one-stop preview of Deontay Wilder's WBC world heavyweight title defence against Artur Szpilka in New York.

Live Fight Night International

Background

Wilder is a leading light of the new era of heavyweights. With 34 knockouts in his unbeaten 35-fight professional career, America is hoping he can unify the marquee division.

WBA Super and WBO champion Tyson Fury will be watching on from ringside and, should Wilder dispatch Szpilka, there will no doubt be some talk of a unification clash in the immediate aftermath as Wilder revealed earlier in the week he wants a 'promise' from the Mancunian.

Planning to spoil the party is Szpilka, a much-improved fighter from Poland who thoroughly believes he can stun Brooklyn by completing a remarkable journey from football hooliganism to the top of world boxing.

What the fighters say

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I train hard and everything around seems to be beautiful. I realise that I can do something extraordinary and I am already looking forward to the day of the fight.

What the experts say

I want to see Wilder put on a show. I think he'll look comfortable it's just if he wants to look that good. I am going for a knockout - and what's what we all want to see.

I’m hearing a lot about Joseph Parker and he’s from the other side of the world! That makes your ears prick up whereas with Szpilka, I’ve not heard much so I can’t imagine he’ll pose many problems to Wilder

I am certain we are going to get an exciting knockout win. Wilder can punch hard and punch hard for the full 12 rounds. And don't forget he's the champion, he's on home turf, so it's going to be a good fight.

Tony Bellew told me he fought Szpilka as an amateur and expects this fight to go on only as long as Deontay Wilder wants it to. I agree with him.

The weigh-in

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Wilder: 228lbs

Szpilka: 233lbs

After the pair clashed at their initial face-off - nearly coming to blows, promoter Lou DiBella was present to ensure they were kept separated, although Szpilka was not short of a word or two as he repeatedly told Wilder: "You're going down."

Perhaps surprisingly, Wilder weighed in lighter than his challenger, who also enjoyed some fairly vocal support from the travelling Polish contingent.

The time draws near...

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