WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is confirmed to return to the ring on September 26th on Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN against a to be determined opponent and a to be determined venue in the United States.
Two weeks ago, one of the names circulating the airwaves was former two-time WBC title contender Chris Arreola. However, after a poor showing earlier this month against fringe contender Fred Kassi, that matchup now has even less leverage – if it had any to begin with.
Australian Lucas Browne, No. 6 WBC ranked contender, has been calling on Wilder to step into the ring for the past month, but Wilder doesn’t seem to be interested in the fight. On Wednesday when asked by a fan for news on a potential fight with the American, Browne was blunt.
“Chicken shit won’t fight,” said Browne.
Wilder denied those claims with a short, five-word answer.
“Nah… just not worth my time.”
So the question that comes up is: who is worth Deontay Wilder’s time?
Bermane Stiverne, the man Wilder beat in January to take the WBC title, is now signed with Al Haymon, which Tha Boxing Voice learned during the Broner-Porter weigh-in at the MGM Grand in June.
The Haitian was supposed to return to the ring at some point this month, but that obviously didn’t pan out. Also, he may or may not need a tune-up fight before getting back into world title mode.
Polish fighter Artur Szpilka is the WBC No. 7 ranked contender, and being a Haymon fighter; that’s a fight that can be made. However, Szpilka is already scheduled to fight Yasmany Consuegra on August 14th, so he’s out.
WBC No. 8 ranked contender Andy Ruiz hasn’t fought since headlining an Iron Boy Promotions card in December against Siarhei Liakhovich, a fight that most ringsiders saw Liakhovich winning by a couple points.
Liakhovich fought Wilder in 2014 for the WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title, where he was brutally knocked out in the first round. Liakhovich was so badly knocked out; he was twitching and trembling on the ground uncontrollably until the referee intervened.
I hate to say it, but it’s looking more and more like this next fight for Wilder is going to be another case of man vs. tomato can. Whether it be Chris Arreola or Tony Thompson, it’s going to be an easy night of work for Deontay Wilder.
