DEONTAY WILDER has hit back at Wladimir Klitschko after the Ukrainian criticised Wilder’s WBC world heavyweight title defence against Johann Duhaupas on Saturday night [September 26].
After retaining his title against the unheralded Eric Molina in June – putting in a lackluster performance – many have criticised Wilder’s decision to face Duhaupas, who has suffered losses to Francesco Pianeta and Erkan Teper.
WBO, IBF and WBA Super world champion Klitschko recently urged Wilder to face better opposition, but the unbeaten American claims he laughed off Wladimir’s comments.
“[When I heard his comments] I laughed, I almost laughed all day about it, because for him to make that statement, basically is for him to really criticize himself because if he’s talking about opponents, he’s been doing the same thing for over a decade,” he said.
“He’s been fighting guys we don’t know names of or how to pronounce or where they came from. they came out of a rabbit box.
“For him, being a champion for so many years and having done that, then trying to go back on maybe talking about opponents, he already knows what it’s going to be when he faces me. Of course, if I fight everybody at the top, then that lessens the chance of him having to face me because of course I feel he wants me to lose somewhere around there so he can have a easier match for him when it’s time for me and him to fight.”
The 29-year-old then turned his attention to Duhaupas.
“I couldn’t have a better opponent to be defending my title against,” he said.
“I think he’s the best type of opponent for me. He’s tough, he comes to fight, he’s got a great record, he’s never been stopped, he got the height and the weight. This is a great fight despite of what maybe critics may say about it.
“This is an exciting fight, this is going to definitely be a tough fight and I’m looking forward to it. This type of boxing in the heavyweight division is back and I’m happy that I’m leading the pack.”
The Alabama native, who will be fighting in his home state at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, also revealed he does not plan on fighting for long, having only taken up the sport at the age of 21.
“I don’t see myself being in this sport a very long period of time so I want to fight as much as possible,” he mused.
“I want to defend and put my title on the line as much as possible. If the top fighters in the division are ready, they’re coming to try to come and take my belt – and the key word is try. I’m ready to give them the opportunity and I’m looking forward to it.”
