Deontay Wilder/Photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions
Deontay Wilder on Saturday evening defended his heavyweight world title for the second time by stopping Johann Duhaupas of France in the 11th round at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala. The bout was stopped by referee Jack Reiss at 55 seconds.
Wilder, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., made his first defense in Birmingham as well, when he knocked out Eric Molina in the ninth round in June at Bartow Arena.
Wilder is now 35-0 with 34 knockouts. The only fighter he hasn’t knocked out as a pro is Bermane Stiverne, from whom Wilder took the title with a unanimous decision in January in Las Vegas.
Wilder was winning by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 99-91 at the time of the stoppage. There was heavy swelling under Wilder’s left eye, but he dominated and really beat up Duhaupas.
Also on the NBC-televised card, heavyweight prospect Dominic Breazeale of Alhambra is now 16-0 after winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Fred Kassi in the semi-main event. Breazeale, a 2012 U.S. Olympian, won by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 100-90.