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Tonight at 10 pm EDT on Showtime and BoxNation in the UK, ShoBox returns with a special edition tripleheader, led by Deontay Wilder, the undefeated heavyweight prospect who has scored a stoppage in each of his pro fights. BLH will be here with live coverage and post-fight results for each bout.
Wilder (28-0, 28 KO) looks to extend his streak against former titleholder Siarhei Liakhovich (25-5, 16 KO). Liakhovich, 37, has definitely seen his best days come and go, but the 27-year-old Wilder has really faced no one of any substance thus far. Liakhovich has lost his last two by stoppage, but he gave Robert Helenius a really good battle in August 2011. Bryant Jennings did dominate Liakhovich in March 2012, which was the last time we saw "The White Wolf" in the ring.
Wilder's pure punching power is flat-out destructive, and if he lands one of those massive right hands he loves so much -- and that, frankly, we love to see -- then it could be lights out in a hurry, just like it has been for 28 other foes to date.
The night will open with what was supposed be a junior middleweight bout between Jermall Charlo (14-0, 10 KO) and Antwone Smith (23-4-1, 12 KO), but Smith came in five pounds heavy on the scales. The bout will go on as scheduled, with Smith giving up 20% of his purse. The veteran spoiler looked a tough test for Charlo, and if he didn't kill himself just to get to 159, there's really no reason to think that missing weight will actually hurt him in the ring.
In the middle of it all, super featherweight prospects Francisco Vargas (16-0-1, 13 KO) and Brandon Bennett (16-0, 7 KO) will do battle. Vargas, 28, is a bit long in the tooth for a prospect and might be about as good as he's going to get, but so far he's been solid as a pro. Bennett, 25, is a fighter I know basically nothing about, as he's been fighting in Cincinnati against weak opposition. That doesn't mean he can't fight, but I have no idea what to expect of the guy.
Join us tonight! DO IT!