Gerald Washington leads finalists for Deontay Wilder fight

Deontay Wilder’s hunt for a replacement after Andrzej Wawrzyk’s failed drug test is reportedly in the closing stages, as just three candidates remain. According to The Ring, Gerald Washington is the current frontrunner, though a deal has not yet been made.

The pick appears to make sense; as the article points out, Washington (18-0-1, 12 KO) was already training to appear on the card and shares a similar build. Wawrzyk is 6’5" and weighed in at 240.5 pounds his last time out, while the 6’6" Washington weighed in at 243.75 for his knockout of Ray Austin.

The Austin win was Washington’s second since a grievously boring draw with Amir Mansour in 2015.

This would be a definite step up rankings-wise, as the WBC has Washington at #10 to Wawrzyk’s #12, and would most likely be a more competitive fight. Wilder (37-0, 36 KO) should still win by monster knockout, of course, but he may actually have to work for it.