"I think the excitement that's there right now they could pack out any stadium in the UK, they could pack out any arena here"
Sunday 19 May 2019 08:00, UK
Deontay Wilder's 'devastating' victory over Dominic Breazeale increased demand for a heavyweight 'super fight' with Anthony Joshua, says Matthew Macklin.
WBC champion Wilder blasted out Breazeale inside the first round at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn ahead of Joshua's US debut against Andy Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden in New York, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Macklin believes Wilder's explosive display has created even more clamour for an undisputed title fight with Britain's unified champion Joshua and is hopeful the rivals can agree a deal soon.
"I think the excitement that's there right now they could pack out any stadium in the UK, they could pack out any arena here," said Macklin.
"The networks can get together, the promoters can get together, they've done it before. When the fights are big enough, the demand is big enough. People will sit down and do a deal.
"I think we're at that point now. Even this performance here has just added to it.
"Hopefully Anthony Joshua goes out in a couple of weeks' time and puts on an equally-as-impressive performance.
"It doesn't have to be a first round knockout, but he goes out there and impresses on his American debut and wins over the fans, and sets up the super fight we all want to see."
In a dramatic opening round, Wilder quickly wobbled Breazeale, only to be backed up himself, but then signalled a sudden halt to the fight with a huge right hand.
After witnessing Wilder's swift victory, Macklin says his punch power can be compared to another American, who previously held the WBC belt.
"Devastating power, absolutely devastating," said Macklin. "I don't remember seeing a heavyweight as dangerous as explosive or as exciting since a young Mike Tyson was blowing everyone away in a round or two.
He gets massive power behind it. Obviously heavy-handed as well, but that is god given power. You can't teach someone to punch like that
"That right hand landed bang on the button. He went to throw a left hook, Dominic Breazeale, and the right hand beats the left hook every time. It just absolutely flattened him.
"I think he's very explosive, he's got great leverage. He gets massive power behind it. Obviously heavy-handed as well, but that is god given power. You can't teach someone to punch like that.
"Lifting weights, you can always improve punching power, but genuinely you can either punch or you can't, and he is one naturally massive concussive one-punch knockout specialist."
