Deontay Wilder Erupts With 1st Round KO of Dominic Breazeale
Undefeated WBC Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder wins ninth title defense with stellar one-punch KO1 victory over Dominic Breazeale
BROOKLYN (May 5, 2019) – Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder opened his ninth title defense against one-loss challenger Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale both aggressive and busy – behind a newfound set of fundamentals.
Wilder (41-0-1, 40 KOs) walked forward, after the first bell, and settled into his stance shooting his jab. Hard to tell if the active jab contributed to another slow start g for the offense of Breazeale (20-2, 18 KOs), or if it was just the continuation of a well-known, and costly, bad habit.
As Wilder comfortably flashed his jab, the champion also mixed in a left hook to Breazeale’s body, while also firing some shots intended to jar the challenger’s gloves as he stood behind his guard. After Breazeale failed to match Wilder’s early output, the champion continued with his aggressive start and landed a right hand that rocked Breazeale, sending the 33-year old Californian reeling backwards into a corner.
Wilder quickly followed Breazeale across the ring looking to capitalize on the moment. Breazeale’s arms flailed about, getting into the way of Wilder’s flurry, and then the challenger instinctively landed a couple of wild shots that halted the champion’s charge. Wilder quickly signaled to referee Harvey Dock that the second blow landed behind the head.
The action moved back out into the center-ring and both men regrouped. Shortly after, the champion landed a crushing straight right hand inside of a slow upward arcing loopy punch from Breazeale’s lead hand – as the challenger was still on somewhat shaky legs. The blow landed flush on Breazeale’s chin, violently snapping his neck before his 6-foot 7-inch frame toppled to the canvas. Dock moved in for his count as Breazeale laid motionless until he made an attempt to beat the count, starting around “seven.” But, Breazeale failed to replicate previous challenger Tyson Fury’s miracle 12th round rise from the canvas, to beat the 10-count, and even once he did make it to his feet he stumbled forward into the nearby ropes.
Wilder visited the Breazeale corner after the official decision and an exchange ensued that brought personal differences to an end according to the champion’s comments to Showtime’s Jim Gray.
WBC Featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. (30-1, 18 KOs) displayed his array of skills, in his title defense against Kiko Martinez (39-9-2, 28 KOs), that easily reminds fans why he’s one of the most skilled fighters in the world. Russell outclassed Martinez behind his jab, his blinding hand speed and ring IQ.
Russell relied on his jab to score, confirm and maintain range, make it challenging for Martinez to press his way inside and at times to camouflage his heavier shots. Martinez’s left eye started showing damage from Russell’s right hook in the second round. With the exception of a brief spirited rally from the challenger in the third round, Russell firmly controlled the action and continued to land shots that exacerbated the bad condition of Martinez’s eye.
Referee Ricky Gonzalez requested a timeout at 2:52 for the ringside physician to examine the eye of Martinez, and within seconds the recommendation was given to stop the contest. Russell held a lead of 40-36 on all three cards at the time of stoppage.
All photos by Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions
