For as hard as Deontay Wilder punches, or as rare as his combination of size and athleticism are for the division, we still don?t quite know how good the unbeaten heavyweight titlist really is.
We are certainly much closer than we were one year ago, when Wilder — the last American male boxer to medal at the Olympics — had blown through all 32 of his opponents inside the distance, but hadn?t yet remotely faced a credible test.
His successful 2015 gave us a bit of a glimpse, highlighted by Wilder (35-0, 34 KOs) going the distance to capture Bermane Stiverne?s title in January. But his subsequent pair of homecoming title defenses — both against overmatched opponents — brought equal praise and concern to Wilder?s overall stock.
What the prevailing uncertainty hasn?t hurt, however, is his entertainment value. In fact, it?s what we still don?t know about the 30-year-old slugger that makes his fights so appealing.
Wilder, who started boxing at age 20 and turned pro following a short amateur career, is essentially learning on the job as the rare fighter who?s both a titlist, and still somewhat of a prospect, at the same time.
The native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, returns Saturday for his third title defense against Poland?s Artur Szpilka at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York (10 p.m. ET, Showtime and streaming for free on Showtime?s YouTube page).
Historically, the fight earns a footnote as the first heavyweight title held in Brooklyn since James Jeffries knocked out James Corbett in 1900. But for Wilder, it also begins a crucial stretch to his career.
Not only is Szpilka (20-1, 15 KOs) a tough southpaw who has gone rounds with the likes of Bryant Jennings and Tomasz Adamek, he?s a considerable step up from Wilder?s first two title defenses against Eric Molina and Johann Duhaupas. The timing of the bout is also key.
Reigning lineal champion Wladimir Klitschko?s upset loss to Tyson Fury in November signaled the start of a new era for the division just as much as it leveled the playing field. It also coincided perfectly with the maturation of a group of fighters expected to have next, of which Wilder is a member.
Whatever the heavyweight division lacks in elite talent, it makes up for in newfound depth and intrigue. For the first time in years, there?s a strong foundation of fighters — young and old — who you want to see compete, with each one providing a certain element of danger.
Exactly where Wilder is at in his development depends upon how you rate his performances in 2015. Most critics are split, yet neither opinion scale is necessarily false.
First of all, there?s a lot to like: Wilder?s power is for real, as are the advantages that come with his 6-foot-7 frame and freakish 83-inch reach. He?s also incredibly athletic.
According to CompuBox, he landed more jabs per round and a higher percentage of power shots overall than any other fighter in 2015. He also never folded in the face of adversity, has shown a strong gas tank and overcame a badly swollen eye against Duhaupas.
But criticism has a way of growing like thorns, in and around Wilder?s praise. The common retort is this: How much credit should Wilder be given for overcoming adversity against undeserving opponents he was expected to destroy?
It?s a fair point when you consider the parts of Wilder?s game that still give his critics the most pause: For all of his improvement as a boxer, he?s still plenty raw. He doesn?t go to the body enough. He often backs up in a straight line with his hands down.
The most troubling criticism centers on Wilder?s often awkward reactions to being pressured, which have left him off balanced and vulnerable. The problem is he has yet to face an opponent skilled enough to make him pay, which is a microcosm of the greater issue: Soft matchmaking, and its tendency to gray the truth.
On one hand, you can?t take anything away from how Wilder performed in his toughest test to date against Stiverne. But can you take something away from Stiverne, who lacked the stamina and conditioning to go 12 hard rounds?
It?s fine-tooth critiquing at its finest. But, once again, it?s a fair point.
Not known as a big puncher, Szpilka, 26, will need to make up the 4-inch height and 6-inch reach disadvantages he faces against Wilder, while overcoming his own vulnerability to big shots. But he?s a step in the right direction for Wilder in terms of matchmaking.
As Wilder continues to build his brand in hopes of becoming a crossover sensation, the demand for more difficult fights will follow. Should he finish Szpilka, dangerous former secondary titlist Alexander Povetkin looms as his mandatory title challenger.
Wilder has come a long way in a short time, showing visible improvements under the tutelage of trainer Mark Breland. But with business picking up around him in the division, that improvement will need to continue just as rapidly.
The most critical stretch of his career begins on Saturday. Whether or not he?s for real, Wilder has the charisma and power that the division — if not boxing — desperately needs. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
