Ahead of Deontay Wilder vs Johann Duhaupas, we’re all thinking the same thing: ‘In comes another unworthy challenger and down he will go. Hard.’
But that’s not how ex-Wilder victim, Malik Scott, perceives the match-up. Scott, who was floored in 1 round back in 2014, has sent out a warning to Wilder, asking him not to underestimate his September 26th foe.
“He’s coming to fight, he’s extremely mentally strong and what’s dangerous about him the most is that he believes he can win,” Scott told Boxing News. “Deontay will need to have his P’s and Q’s about him because if he takes him lightly, anything can happen in heavyweight boxing.”
Why is Scott saying these things? And is there some kind of agenda here? Since Duhaupas (32-2, 20 KO) is unknown to many in the boxing fandom – us, included – it’s hard to foresee an upset on the cards. But we shouldn’t be too hasty in making that decision and dismissing Scott’s words.
Scott has trained with Duhaupas, after all, and so it doesn’t seem like too bold a statement. And if we discard our cynicism for a moment, perhaps Duaupas isn’t all that bad. The biggest names on his record handed him losses – Erken Teper in March, Francesco Pianeta in 2008 – but he does have a win over Manuel Charr in April.
OK, Charr isn’t a great Heavyweight. But he’s capable and quite a lump, which suggests Duhaupas is a capable fighter himself who can more than hold his own. (Did we mention Duhaupas took that fight at four day’s notice?) Duhaupas’ record also proves he has some pop in his punch, and at 6′ 5″ and weighing around 235 pounds, he has size on his side.
What are we doing here? Trying to defend Wilder’s seemingly poor choice of opponent? Not exactly. He is a poor choice – on paper, at least. And he’s no spring chicken at 34. But if Eric Molina was able to rock Wilder and go 9 rounds back in June, then you have to wonder what another underdog like Duhaupas can do.
Wilder (34-0, 33 KO) may be perceived as an unbeatable wrecking ball, but there are still questions circulating the unbeaten 29-year-old. He’s not the finished product just yet, and does, at this moment in his career, look beatable.
Is Johann Duhaupas being overlooked? And can he ask questions of Deontay Wilder? Even beat the ‘Bronze Bomber’?
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