Deontay Wilder to defend WBC title against Artur Szpilka on January 16
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (35-0, 34 KOs) will defend his title against Artur Szpilka (20-1, 15 KOs) on January 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The unbeaten American will make the third defence of the belt he won by outpointing Bermane Stiverne last January, when he takes on the 26-year-old southpaw from Poland.
Wilder, 30, became the first American heavyweight world champion since Shannon Briggs lost the WBO belt in 2007. In his first two defences he stopped compatriot Eric Molina in the the 9th round in June and then halted France's Johann Duhaupas in the 11th in September.
His next challenger Szpilka has won four fights in a row since his sole defeat as a pro when he was stopped in the 10th round by Bryant Jennings in January 2014.
He scored a points win over countryman and former world title challenger Tomasz Adamek in November 2014 and has stopped his last three opponents.
Promoter Lou DiBella said: "It should be an exciting night on January 16 when the 'Bronze Bomber' defends his title against rugged brawler Artur Szpilka.
"Brash and outspoken, the Polish fighter looks to derail Deontay and become the first Polish heavyweight champion of the world in boxing history. This is Deontay's third title defence in 12 months and a victory will lead to a major clash in his next bout."
Wilder and fellow world champion Tyson Fury look to be heading for a unification fight in 2016.