TYSON FURY will aim to become Deontay Wilder’s nemesis in the early hours of Sunday morning.
But the reigning WBC heavyweight champ already has one of those in Evgeny Romanov.
Evgeny Romanov is the only boxer ever to secure a KO win against Deontay Wilder – in the amateursCredit: Getty – Contributor
Evgeny Romanov lands a haymaker on Deontay Wilder in their amateur bout in 20008
The reigning WBC heavyweight champ was only heading one way – down
Wilder has knocked out all but one of his 41 opponents faced as a professional and has never even lost, let alone been stopped himself.
But that can’t be said for the American’s amateur career.
Step forward 34-year-old Russian Romanov, the only boxer in history to KO Wilder.
At an amateur tournament in Russia in 2008, Wilder was walloped pillar to post on the way to his only stoppage loss.
Having won silver at the 2008 Russian Championships – he would win gold a year later – Romanov was considered one of the country’s top prospects.
But Wilder, who won 30 and lost five as an amateur, took the first round 4-2 on points. And that was as close as he got.
Romanov, who stood around seven inches shorter than his opponent, found an answer for everything in the second.
A strong right had Wilder reeling and he was forced to take a standing count while Romanov went 10-7 up on points.
Another huge right softened Wilder up in the third and he was there for the taking when the Russian punished him with another.
The American crashed to the canvas and the ref ended the bout with just under a minute remaining.
As a rival Wilder was uncomfortable, it was not easy to adapt to him during the fight.
Romanov on facing Wilder
Speaking exclusively to SunSport about that glorious night, Romanov, who hails from what he calls the “hero town” of Volgograd in Russia, was remarkably humble of his place in history.
The football and fishing fan said: “I didn’t feel anything special or unusual, just then I did my job well in the ring.
“As a rival Wilder was uncomfortable, it was not easy to adapt to him during the fight.”
Their paths veered very differently following that scrap.
Wilder went on to win bronze just months later at the Beijing Olympics before turning pro in November 2008, while Romanov continued on his path to over 300 amateur bouts.
But now a 14-fight pro, it’s in Romanov’s interest to keep a keen eye on how his former foe does.
He added: “At the moment he is a world champion and has made good progress in professional boxing career. And I’m not at all surprised at this.
“My main goal is to win world titles and if the opportunity arises to fight Wilder again in the professional boxing, why not.
“I will be ready!”
The 34-year-old Russian won the WBO Gobal Heavyweight title in June last year when he outpointed Ariel Bracamonte
Deontay Wilder destorys his opponents as a pro – but he was dismantled himself by Romanov
Just months after his most shattering defeat as an amateur, Wilder would go on to win Olympic bronze
Wilder will put his WBC strap on the line at the weekend in a rematch against Tyson Fury in Las Vegas.
Back in December 2018 the two warriors fought to a draw – but most believed Fury had done enough to claim the crown.
Boxer meeting banger has once again got fans of the sport split on who will prevail in Part II.
And Romanov too is sitting on the fence – but is swaying towards the man he floored 12 years ago.
He said: “I think anything can happen it’s heavyweight.
“I don’t like to make predictions, and I think Fury definitely has it in him to win.
“But Wilder can in one second decide the outcome of the fight in his favour.”
WILDER REMATCH?
Romanov is ready to make his own waves in heavyweight boxing, after turning professional in 2016 at the age of 31.
He has KO’d 10 of his 14 opponents so far and has a No8 ranking with the WBO – that belt of course held by Anthony Joshua.
Wilder has a habit of righting what he sees as wrongs – he wasn’t happy with his 2018 KO win against Luis Ortiz, so KO’d him again in a rematch in November 2019.
And it was the same against Bermane Stiverne. Wilder injured his shoulder on the way to a 2015 points win and almost three years later smashed out the same opponent in the first round.
Now the Bronze Bomber has his sights of avenging his draw with Fury with another KO masterclass.
Then maybe he will fancy avenging that crushing loss against Romanov. Boxing is full of surprises after all.
Tempers flare as Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder face off ahead of big fight
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
