Deontay Wilder Re-Signs With Showtime, Wants Klitschko In Fall
WBC world heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder has opted to re-sign with the Showtime network rather than take his chances with DAZN.
Wilder will kick off his new deal with a fight vs. Dominic Breazeale on May 18 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
This is not a game. #WilderBreazeale: May 18 LIVE on @Showtime pic.twitter.com/Er2XGAOHOP
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 19, 2019
According to Fight Sports, the plan would be for Wilder to fight former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko should he defeat Breazeale on May 18. Klitschko hasn’t competed since being defeated by Anthony Joshua in late 2017.
“World heavyweight title fights belong on Showtime and not on a streaming platform with a limited audience,” Showtime Sports executive Stephen Espinoza said at today’s press conference (h/t MMA Mania).
“.@BronzeBomber bets on himself like all the greats have.” – @StephenEspinoza #WilderBreazeale pic.twitter.com/FJhD9pxxNQ
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 19, 2019
There’s no doubt that fans of boxing are the biggest losers of this deal. You can’t fault Wilder for making the most financially sound decision for him and his family. But for the time being anyway, a rematch with Tyson Fury and a unification bout with Anthony Joshua will have to wait.
On the bright side, boxing is as healthy as it has been in some time on paper.
