Deontay Wilder outclassed Bermane Stiverne over 12 rounds Saturday night to lift the WBC heavyweight title by unanimous decision. Wilder (33-0, 32 KO’s) dropped the now-former champion at the end of round two, though it was not ruled a knockdown, and controlled the fight thereafter. Official scores were 120-107, 119-108 and 118-109.
InTheCorner.net scored the fight 116-111 for Wilder, eight rounds to four, with one two-point round.
The fight started slowly, despite the widespread expectation of a firefight, and business didn’t pick up till the waning seconds of round two. With Wilder controlling the action behind a solid jab and good movement, he connected with power shots that rocked Stiverne in the final seconds. Stiverne (24-2-1, 21 KO’s), wobbled forward and slipped as Wilder moved back towards a corner to try to get more punching room. Several power shots landed and Stiverne went down as the bell sounded and referee Tony Weeks ruled it was not a knockdown. All three judges scored the round 10-8 for Wilder, however.
