“Return to Glory” Live on Showtime!
Happy New Year from “The Chatter Box”!
And 2015 is starting off with a bang with a heavyweight rumble slated to ignite TONIGHT, January 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas as WBC heavyweight champion Bermane “B.Ware” Stiverne locks horns with Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder in a match scheduled for 12 rounds of war.
“RETURN TO GLORY”: Stiverne vs. Wilder will see Stiverne defending his title against the undefeated challenger who has been embroiled in a war of words with his Haitian nemesis. Their war of attrition is co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions and will air live tonight on SHOWTIME. Also on the card will be WBC Super Bantamweight champ Leo Santa Cruz defending his belt against Jesus Ruiz and a bout between Amir Imam and Fidel Maldonado Jr.
Boxing fans have been waiting for a heavyweight champ to call their own for years now. And tonight’s collision is the first big heavyweight fight since Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield, which took place almost 18 years ago (the last time a heavyweight title fight was fought at the MGM).
Now all eyes are on this pair of heavyweights, Stiverne versus Wilder. No one thinks this one will go the distance. During the live weigh-in feed, many fans favor the younger Wilder to dethrone Stiverne. But Bermane’s supporters are predicting a KO of “The Bronze Bomber.” Deontay came in at 219 while Wilder topped the scales at 239.
So how many rounds will this clash last?
Predictions from one round to four rounds to eight rounds, etc. have boxing fans anxiously awaiting first bell.
Then it will be bombs away from this heavy punching duo with the victor the king of the ring and the king of heavyweight supremacy to come? Our heavyweight heroes of the past have created a longing for new faces in the division. Will Stiverne prove he’s the one? Or will Wilder make his mark as the top dog in the U.S.? Once again, the heavyweights will have the world watching with the denim-wearing Don King in Stiverne’s corner waving his flags. Just like in the past. Stiverne vs. Wilder promises to be a “don’t blink” affair.
So tune in TONIGHT as the first big bout of 2015 promises to cause sparks in the ring!
PHOTOS BY MARLENE MARQUEZ