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Talking Points: Tyson Fury, David Haye, Deontay Wilder and Charles Martin

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Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder both want it... and so do we!

It was another heavyweight night of boxing that saw Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury and David Haye all take the stage.

There were plenty of incidents, issues and insults flying around, not to mention the coronation of a new IBF world champion in the shape of Charles Martin.

Heavyweight debates are catching fire all over the show, so here's what we learned from another eventful night for the division...

Wilder is vulnerable

Artur Szpilka punches Deontay Wilder during their WBC heavyweight fight
Image: Artur Szpilka showed that you can hit Deontay Wilder, especially early on

The WBC champion hadn't looked as explosive as his record suggests in either of his previous defences. But while Eric Molina and Johann Duhaupas frustrated him, Artur Szpilka seemed to genuinely threaten to pull off the upset.

Most people with eyes had the Polish underdog ahead on the scorecards by the time that stunning right landed in the ninth round. Up until that point, Szpilka had evaded much of Wilder's work, taken a few clean shots from the champion and landed several of his own. His lack of respect for Wilder's skills was the key to his success, as he applied pressure whenever Wilder tried to step out of range too casually.

Wilder still looks uncomfortable on the back foot at times - having a tendency to back up with his arms raised and assuming (often incorrectly on Saturday night), that his challenger won't have the nerve to follow him and keep working. The emphasising of his power aside, Wilder's future opponents will have taken plenty of encouragement from Szpilka's challenge.

The IBF didn't get what they wanted

Tony Bellew
Image: Tony Bellew believes Tyson Fury should still be the IBF champion

Opinions on the IBF's attitude towards their champions vary. It's seen as a great governing body with which to be a challenger and the least favourable with which to be a champion. Just ask Tyson Fury - he was stripped for failing to immediately face Vyacheslav Glazkov, the Ukrainian mandatory who lost his bid for the vacant belt on Saturday night.

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The new IBF world champion is Charles Martin, who benefited from a nasty-looking knee injury to the favourite - but Liverpudlian cruiserweight Tony Bellew, who worked the fight in the Sky Sports studio, doubts whether either man is worthy of stepping in with the division's elite.

Bellew said: "I've studied boxing my whole life. No disrespect to Glazkov but I'm used to star quality heavyweights. I liked Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe. I don't believe Fury should've been stripped. He'd beat both of those guys on the same night."

Martin may be made for Wilder

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'Prince' Charles Martin might be heading for an all-American unfication

Martin, although he was clearly winning the fight before Glazkov's knee buckled, didn't look to have the snap in his work to threaten the other champion as a clear underdog.

Fury, of course, has a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko to worry about before he can think about adding any other trinkets to his hoard - opening the door for Wilder to double his belt telly by taking on fellow American Martin.

Both fighters are under the guidance of Al Haymon, who would relish the chance of setting up the first all-American heavyweight unification clash since Evander Hollyfield v Michael Moorer in 1997. Of course, victory for Wilder over Martin may in turn bring about a colossal clash between Wilder and Fury; both fighters bringing two belts each to the table.

No substitute for natural power

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The KO proved that at heavyweight, power still rules the roost

Szpilka showed cunning and great heart throughout the fight but as the first signs of fatigue set in, a slightly sluggish entry in to range was punished by that most precious of commodities: power. Nobody involved with boxing likes to see a fighter lying asleep with doctors surrounding him - and Szpilka was genuinely knocked out - but once the Pole awoke, it became acceptable to appraise a devastating Wilder finish.

They say that the shot that knocks you out is the shot that you don't see coming, and there can't be many clearer examples than the one we saw on Saturday night. With the champion close to the ropes, Szpilka attempted to get inside but as he did so, Wilder pawed his head down with the jab before whipping in a searing short right that spun the challenger around.

Arguably, Wilder had been out-boxed and out-thought by Szpilka up until the ninth, but the American's ability to bring it all crashing down in an instant serves as a warning to anyone plotting his downfall.

Haye has plotted it well

David Haye leaves Mark De Mori sprawled on the canvas during their heavyweight fight at The O2
Image: David Haye is back in business with a short, sharp, smart return to the ring

David Haye is back and couldn't have announced the fact with any more clarity than he did in stopping Mark de Mori at The O2 inside a round.

The Londoner weighed in at a career-heaviest but still looked more than nimble enough - bewildering De Mori from the off and then showing the sort of power that made his rise from cruiserweight world champion to heavyweight world champion seamless.

Just as notable as the shuddering right hand and accompanying flurry that sent Australia's De Mori to the canvas for several minutes was the amount of people who had turned out to witness Haye's return. London's go-to boxing venue was almost full and although those in attendance didn't get their money's worth in terms of longevity, most had shown up to welcome him back as a hero.

It was a slick operation from Haye; a well-chosen opponent, a decent turn-out and a resounding victory, putting him in a stronger position from which to demand the more lucrative bouts against bigger names.

And finally... Fury v Wilder has to happen

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Deontay Wilder is happy to come to the UK to fight Tyson Fury. What do you think?

We want your opinions on the Talking Points so scroll down and get involved fight fans...

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