Deontay Wilder weighs in lighter than challenger Artur Szpilka
Saturday 16 January 2016 10:11, UK
Deontay Wilder weighed in for the third defence of his WBC world heavyweight title lighter than challenger Artur Szpilka.
The American (35-0-KO34) clocked 228lb on the scales after Polish visitor Szpilka (20-1-KO15) - looking in the shape of his career and enjoying some noisy support - had tipped the scales at 233lb.
The two nearly came to blows in their last face off and had plenty to say to each other on this occasion, but promoter Lou DiBella was determined to keep them separated as Szpilka repeatedly told Wilder: "You're going down."
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Wilder told Sky Sports afterwards: "I feel wonderful. I can't wait. The anticipation and excitement from the crowd has my blood boiling.
"It's been over 115 years since they had a heavyweight world title fight in Brooklyn and I want to do it in great fashion.
I need an amazing knockout that people will remember. We've got a lot of great prospects coming up. We have champions being made.
"I need an amazing knockout that people will remember. We've got a lot of great prospects coming up. We have champions being made and it's exciting again. I'm happy to be a part of this movement. Look at this crowd! This is what boxing is all about.
"I'm looking forward. 2016 is going to be a great year for fighters and fans. Tyson [Fury] said he'd love to fight me after Wladimir Klitschko so I'm trying to make him promise me that. Hopefully 2016 will see that happen.
"I tell people all the time that it's the difference between loving something and being in love with it. I'm in love with boxing. I'm very confident with doing what I need to do on the night of the fight. I've been fighting all my life."
The watching Carl Froch was on-hand to offer Sky Sports his take on proceedings, and was impressed by Szpilka. He said: "Szpilka looks very well and very confident. He shouted to his crowd and really set the scene.
"These people are right behind him, the Polish force. I've been talking to his trainers and they're very confident that this guy can fight and means business. You never know with the heavyweights."
