Saturday 7 April 2018 01:42, UK
Explaining the origin of Deontay Wilder's knockout power, how he improves it, and the punches that haven't yet been unleashed...
Wilder and Joshua could meet in a battle for the undisputed world heavyweight title this year - and the Americans believe they hit harder.
Wilder's trainer Jay Deas, who met him as an athletic novice and evolved him into a world champion, explains how to create KOs.
Was Wilder always able to punch powerfully?
Punching is God-given to a large degree. You can improve punch power through conditioning and proper technique by about 10 to 13 percent. But most of it is God-given. One guy hits someone and something happens - another guy hits someone and nothing happens.
What's your response to criticism of Wilder's technique?
People don't know what they are looking at. When a guy is as tall as Deontay [6'7''] it can look awkward. He doesn't do everything textbook, for sure.
Look at the Klitschko brothers. Wladimir was the most technically correct fighter of the past 20 years. Vitali was unorthodox - hands by his side, looping punches. They will both be in the Hall of Fame. There's more than one way to do things.
Look at the Bermane Stiverne fight. The first knockdown was like Wladimir - technically perfect one-two. The second and third knockdowns were more Vitali.
How do you improve Wilder's KO power?
Flexibility, conditioning, and strength training all play a part.
Tell us one of your gym secrets…
We call it the belly-button test. If Deontay hits you with a right hand and his belly-button is facing you, it's so-so.
If he hits you and his belly-button has turned a quarter to Deontay's left, it's a very good shot.
If he hits you and his belly-button has turned almost completely sideways to the left, it's a knockout punch.
It's about the torque of the waist and the turn of the back foot coming through the hip, and the deltoid protecting your chin. Tommy Hearns, a tall and skinny guy, said it was about the turn of the waist. Where your belly-button ends up shows you exactly how much power is in the shot.
Wilder is known for his right hand, but does he possess KO power in other punches?
His left hand is very strong with the hook but he hasn't had the opportunity [to use it in a fight]. Deontay has a tremendous uppercut on the inside - that was the punch he ended the Ortiz fight with. He also has a tremendous left hook on the inside, and a left uppercut but he hasn't had a chance to show it yet.
What did you tell Wilder to prepare him to knock out Ortiz?
Don't take unnecessary risks with the right hand until we wear Ortiz down. Once we've taken the steam off his left hand, then we'll be willing to trade our right hand with his left hand.
Do you rate Wilder as the world's biggest puncher?
I do. Nobody punches as hard as Deontay.
