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Home » Deontay Wilder v Johann Duhaupas: Deas lauds first TV heavyweight title bout since 1985

Deontay Wilder v Johann Duhaupas: Deas lauds first TV heavyweight title bout since 1985

Undefeated Wilder puts his belt on the line for the second time against unfancied Frenchman Johann Duhaupas on home soil once again at the Legacy Arena in Alabama.

The 34-0 puncher, who has knocked out 33 opponents, was rumoured to be considered a return to Las Vegas on the back of his recent win over Eric Molina in Birmingham, although Wilder eventually settled on another fight in his native state on September 26.

Opponent Duhaupas, 34, has already been forced to defend predictions that he is just another KO victim for Wilder, although Deas is adamant that the former EU champion has more in his locker than given credit for.

“Johann Duhaupas is a tough guy with good skills and is coming off the biggest win of his career in beating Manuel Charr,” Deas told World Boxing News.

“We are looking forward to a huge hometown crowd on the first free network (NBC) televised heavyweight title fight since Larry Holmes vs Carl “The Truth” Williams in 1985, which took place the same year Deontay was born.”

‘The Reptile’ has 20 stoppages to his credit from a 34-fight career spanning over a decade and had stopped six opponents in a row until running into new European champion Erkan Teper in March.

A victory over Manuel Charr put the Abbeville fighter back in the hunt for a title shot just four weeks later and Wilder plucked Duhaupas from his position at number 12 with the WBC for this forthcoming encounter.

Duhaupas may well have edged out nearly man Charr in April over ten rounds in Russia, but some would point to his defeat against Francesco Pianeta, a fighter who has been beaten in two world title fights himself – one in the very first round.

Pianeta, who out-pointed Duhaupas in 2008, went six rounds with Wladimir Klitschko in 2013 – but more recently was blasted out in just one round by WBA title holder Ruslan Chagaev last month.