Deontay Wilder dominates Dominic Breazeale in round 1

Deontay Wilder made Dominic Breazeale look like a low-level amateur as he knocked out Breazeale in round 1.

When Deontay Wilder (41-0-1, 40 KOs) vs. Dominic Breazeale (20-2, 18 KOs) was first announced, no one cared. However, Wilder is proving to be one of the best hype men in the boxing business. Then, on May 14 after a media workout, Wilder intimated that he would literally attempt to murder Breazeale.

Some were appalled, and others chalked it up to pre-fight bravado. Regardless, Wilder’s words set up Wilder vs. Breazeale as a must-see fight. The result proved that he wasn’t lying. He succeeded in seriously hurting Breazeale. It was beautiful, horrific, and electrifying.

Breazeale’s ring walk was calm and uneventful. He wore a scowl on his face as if he knew he was in trouble. He plodded to the scene of his ultimate destruction, trying to act focused, but he looked terrified.

Wilder was flamboyant as usual and made his way to the ring dressed in a modern samurai vest bedazzled in Michael Jackson fashion. Also like MJ, he had choreographed dancers who were shirtless contortionists wearing in gasmasks while “In the Air Tonight” played in the background. It was an odd scene.

The Barclays Center crowd was entirely in Wilder’s corner as they applauded loudly when he was introduced. He fed off their energy and started the first round at a blistering pace.

To start the round, Breazeale tried to be the aggressor. He slowly moved towards Wilder, who was content with giving up ground. Then, Wilder began to fight.

Wilder drew first blood, tagging Breazeale with a textbook left-right combo. He continued to assault Breazeale with a rare left hook to the body that sent Breazeale scurrying away.

Wilder repeatedly scored with jabs that were used to establish his timing. Once he seduced Breazeale with flicking lefts, he pounced with a tremendous right hand that caught Breazeale in the center of his face. Breazeale’s back flew against the ropes, and he was hurt.

Surprisingly, Breazeale’s instincts kicked in and he fought back, hitting Wilder with a right of his own that backed off the WBC champion. Breazeale’s confidence seemed renewed, but it was short-lived.

Just as Breazeale felt like he had a chance, Wilder dashed his hopes. Wilder flew at Breazeale with a left jab followed by his lethal right hand that caught Breazeale on the jaw and twisted his head 90 degrees to the right.

Breazeale flopped to the ground, flattened out entirely on his back. He was unconscious for several seconds but awoke and attempted to beat the referees count. Breazeale was too hurt, and he failed. The fight was over.

Wilder adds to his highlight reel of KO’s and now has 40 on his record. It took IBO, IBF, WBA, and WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua seven rounds to stop Breazeale in 2016. Wilder’s performance outshined Joshua’s.

It’s unlikely we’ll see Wilder vs. Joshua next. Former Wilder foe, Luis Ortiz, was brought into the ring after the fight. That’s an indicator a rematch with Ortiz is next in line for Wilder. Their first fight was amazing, but it’s not the one people want. If the world wasn’t clamoring for Wilder vs. Joshua before tonight, it will be now after Wilder’s outing against Breazeale.