Polish contender Arthur Szpilka, cheered by a gathering of supporters at the weigh-in for his heavyweight title clash with American champion Deontay Wilder repeatedly irritated the champion by telling him ?you are going down? in their clash at the Barclay?s Center in New York on Sunday, Manila Time.
The unbeaten Wilder who has a record of 35-0 with 34 knockouts weighed in at 228 pounds while Szpilka who has a record of 20-1 with 15 knockouts tipped the scales some five pounds heavier at 233 even as the Polish star reportedly looked ?in the shape of his career.?
The two nearly came to blows in their last face off and had plenty to say to each other at the weigh-in according to Sky Sports in Britain, but promoter Lou DiBella was determined to keep them separated as Szpilka repeatedly told Wilder: "You're going down."
Wilder told Sky Sports afterwards: "I feel wonderful. I can't wait. The anticipation and excitement from the crowd has my blood boiling.
"It's been over 115 years since they had a heavyweight world title fight in Brooklyn and I want to do it in great fashion.?
The champion said ?I need an amazing knockout that people will remember. We've got a lot of great prospects coming up. We have champions being made and its exciting again. I am happy to be part of this movement. Look at this crowd. This is what boxing is all about.?
Britain?s world super middleweight champion Carl Froch told Sky Sports he was impressed by Szpilka. He said: "Szpilka looks very well and very confident. He shouted to his crowd and really set the scene. "These people are right behind him, the Polish force. I've been talking to his trainers and they're very confident that this guy can fight and means business. You never know with the heavyweights."
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