Wilder vs. Stiverne II result: Deontay Wilder defeats Bermane Stiverne via KO in Round 1

Deontay Wilder needed a victory against Bermane Stiverne to keep hope alive for a unification bout against Anthony Joshua. Wilder got the victory and much more.

Nearly three years ago, Deontay Wilder easily outboxed Bermane Stiverne to win the WBC heavyweight title. Stiverne was the first man to fight Wilder and survive the fight on his feet, but the rematch was a different story, however. Wilder ended Stiverene’s night with a sensational first-round knockout.

When the opening bell rang, Wilder came out of his corner and took the center of the ring. For most of round one, Wilder peppered Stiverne with jabs and stealthily circled around Stiverne looking for an opening. The round was calm and appeared like both boxers were just feeling each other out.

But, with a little more than 50 seconds left in the round, Wilder emphatically pounded his chest with his with his right hand as if he were making a declaration to the world that he was about to summon the gods of war. He charged Stiverne, throwing a strong, straight left jab and right cross that pierced Stiverne’s guard and set him flying down to the canvas.

Stiverne got back to his feet, complaining to referee Arthur Mercante Jr. that he was hit on the back of the head. In reality, the only thing that hit Stiverne in the back of the head were the ring ropes on his way down to the ground.

With 32 seconds left in the round, the fight resumed but not for long. Wilder approached Stiverne with his hands down and winged a four-punch combination flooring Stiverne for a second time with a right-cross.

Stiverne got to his feet again, but all hope of winning the fight looked like it was drained from his face. He had the look of a man who was scared.

Only 10 seconds remained in the round when fighting resumed. The 10-second warning was given and Wilder ran across the ring to deliver his last assault of the night.

Wilder landed a left-hook squarely on Stiverne’s jaw and followed it up with a right-cross that rendered Stiverne unconscious on his feet. Wilder’s hand continued and he landed another left-hook that crumpled Stiverne to the canvas.

Stiverne fell awkwardly, with his body bent in half and his head resting on the bottom rope. There were two seconds left on the clock, but Stiverne wasn’t awake to beat the count.

Wilder tried to deliver more blows to the unconscious Stiverne, so Arthur Mercante Jr. jumped on Wilder’s back trying to wrestle him away from the fallen fighter. Wilder thrashed around in Mercante’s bear hug, and nearly set him flying to the ground, but he was able to hold on and stop Wilder from doing any more damage. The fight was over.

Stiverne slowly regained consciousness and slowly got back to his feet on unsteady legs.

Wilder needed a victory to continue his forward movement in the heavyweight division, but his impressive performance might have promoted his reputation past fellow unbeaten heavyweight Anthony Joshua.

Next: Deontay Wilder critical of boxing's heavyweights

Joshua knocked Carlos Takam out in 10 rounds, but his performance throughout the fight was subpar. Wilder has been clamoring for a unification bout against Joshua, but Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has made disparaging remarks about Wilder’s abilities.

Wilder’s performance against Stiverne overshadows Joshua’s recent victory. He’s proven that he his one of the most dangerous power-punchers in all of boxing. He’s definitely made his case for a showdown with Joshua.