Dominic Breazeale on Wilder knockout: ‘I think the ref stopped it a little early’

Dominic Breazeale was devastated by a right hand in the first round of his fight with WBC heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder, and while he didn’t do an in-ring post-fight interview, he has since spoken.

Breazeale (20-2, 18 KO) says he feels the fight was stopped too early.

“I think the ref stopped it a little early because I could hear him saying seven and eight, but that’s boxing,” said Breazeale. “He did his job and kept us safe for our next fight.

“I got on my feet and had my legs under me. It’s the heavyweight division so there’s going to big shots from guys with power. This was a situation where he landed the big right hand before I did. I thought I was going to come on in the later rounds. I’ll be back and go for the heavyweight title again.”

Now, listen, I’m not trying to kick a man when he’s down, but no, referee Harvey Dock did not stop the fight early, and no, Breazeale did not have his legs under him. He didn’t beat the count of 10, period:

Again, it’s nothing against Breazeale, but it’s what he said. I doubt he’s reviewed the tape yet. He probably really believes this at the moment. But referee Harvey Dock deserves no criticism. He fairly counted Breazeale out. It was a clean KO.

Breazeale is now 0-2 in world title fights, having already lost to Anthony Joshua back in 2016. But I’m sure he will, indeed, do his best to come back and fight for one again someday.