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SPORTS Saturday 25 February 2017

WBC champ Wilder returns against unbeaten Washington

JOHN ZENOR age to decent jab until he Alexander Povetkin had
AP Sports Writer broke his right hand,” Deas tested positive for meldo-
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — said. “When he broke his nium. Wilder instead turned
Deontay Wilder is trying to right hand early in his ca- to Arreola , whose corner
emulate Larry Holmes, both reer, he spent 6-8 weeks just stopped the fight after the
in becoming the world’s on the left hand and be- eighth round. Wilder had
dominant heavyweight came arguably the great- fought half the fight mostly
champion and in cultivat- est (jabber) in heavyweight relying on his left hand fol-
ing a pinpoint left jab while history. We took a page out lowing the injuries.
sidelined by a right hand of that book.” Washington is a late substi-
injury. The 6-foot-7 Wilder predicts tute after Polish challenger
Returning from a pair of in- a lot of jabs in the fight with Andrzej Wawrzyk also failed
juries to his right arm and the 6-5 Washington, both a drug test. Wilder, who
flush from a court victory, tall, athletic fighters. has been a vocal critic of
the WBC heavyweight Holmes and fellow former boxing cheaters , already
champion returns to the heavyweight champions scored one big victory re-
ring Saturday night against Evander Holyfield and Ear- cently, winning a unani-
unbeaten and mostly un- nie Shavers — along with mous verdict in a New York
known Gerald Washing- WBO titlist Joseph Parker title seeking the $5 million
ton (18-0-1, 12 knockouts) — are expected to be on he was scheduled to re-
at Legacy Arena. He’s hand at Legacy Arena. ceive for the Povetkin fight
hoping it’s the start of a The undercard features last summer.
year when he begins add- Jarrett Hurd (19-0, 13 KOs) Wilder said Washington is
ing belts to the one he’s against Tony Harrison (24- a better opponent than
dubbed “Sophie.” 1, 20 KOs), both 26, for the Wawrzyk and perhaps the
Washington is a 34-year-old IBF super welterweight title most athletic he has faced.
former Southern California vacated when Jermall The WBC champ said he’s
tight end and defensive Charlo moved up to mid- focused on Washington
end. He is also a former dleweight. while also “window-shop- Deontay Wilder works out for the media in Northport, Ala., Tues-
day, Feb. 14, 2017, as he prepares for his WBC heavyweight title
Navy helicopter mechanic Then Wilder enters the ring ping” for future fights . defense against Gerald Washington on Feb. 25 in Birmingham,
who turned pro less than for what he’s hoping be- “I am the man to beat,” Ala.
five years ago. comes another stepping- Wilder said. “I don’t care arose four weeks ago. He that,” Washington said.
The 31-year-old Wilder (37- stone to unifying the title. what other heavyweight said he’s gained confi- “That’s what I love about
0, 36 KOs) is making his fifth If he wins, he expects next has what title and what dence and learned from it. Our back is against the
title defense and fourth to fight WBO champion country they’re from. De- every fight along the way wall. We’re against all
in Birmingham, about an Joseph Parker this summer ontay Wilder is the man to despite a late start follow- odds. We’re in his back
hour from his Tuscaloosa and then, he hopes, the beat.” ing his football and military yard. I love that. I embrace
hometown. He had surger- winner of the April bout Now, the man he has to careers. that.
ies to repair a broken right between Anthony Joshua beat is Washington, who Washington thinks playing “I’m not one to shy away
hand and torn right biceps and Wladimir Klitschko. had a fourth-round knock- on three Rose Bowl teams from competition. I’m used
sustained in last summer’s Parker is first scheduled to out of former title challeng- for Pete Carroll’s talent-rich to competing against the
fight against Chris Arreola. fight Hughie Fury, Tyson Fu- er Ray Austin on the Wilder- USC program taught him best in the country, and the
Trainer Jay Deas said they ry’s cousin. Arreola undercard. not to shy away from com- best in the world. Now I get
quickly returned to the ring Wilder’s recent path has Washington got emotional petition. But he also knows to do that on the boxing
even with that arm in a taken unexpected turns. at the pre-fight news con- that there are people say- stage for the most presti-
sling, working on his left, a He was on his way to board ference, tearing up at the ing he doesn’t have much gious title, the WBC heavy-
la Holmes. a flight for Russia last year podium as he talked about chance against Wilder. weight championship of
“Holmes had a very aver- when he learned opponent his dream opportunity that
“The whole world is saying the world.”q