Boxing: Deontay Wilder to put up title in February

Deontay Wilder poses for photographs after a WBC heavyweight title fight. Photo / AP

American Deontay Wilder - one of three heavyweight boxing "world champions" alongside our own Joseph Parker - is putting his belt up against a Polish challenger in February.

Wilder, who is on the radar of Parker's Duco Events management, holds the WBC heavyweight title and will put that belt on the line against Andrzej Wawrzyk in Brimingham in Wilder's home state of Alabama on February 25.

Parker holds the WBO belt but Duco has talked about a partial unification of the titles by the Kiwi fighter meeting the undefeated Wilder for both championships. Britain's Anthony Joshua holds the IBF heavyweight title while the WBA belt is vacant.

Wilder hasn't fought since sustaining a broken right hand and torn bicep in a win over Chris Arreola in July - a fight he won thanks to an eighth round stoppage.

Wilder is 37-0 with knockouts in all but one fight. Wawrzyk is 33-1, with 19 knockouts, and has won six straight fights.

It will be the 31-year-old Wilder's fifth title defence, and his ninth pro fight in the state of Alabama.

'I'm excited about defending my world championship for a fifth time,' said Wilder.

'It's always fun to display my talents in front of the hometown fans. It's an opportunity that I always look forward to and it brings out the best in me. I'm healthy and I'm ready to put on a fantastic show.'

Meanwhile his challenger Wawrzyk, who has only lost once, said: 'I'm extremely motivated to fight for the heavyweight title against a great fighter like Deontay Wilder.

'Fighting for the world title has always been my dream. To fight against such a great athlete as Wilder is an extremely difficult challenge, but one I am ready for. I have trained for this since I was a teenager.

'On February 25 I will step into the ring ready to fight and win against the most dangerous man on the planet.'

Should Wilder come through this defence and Joshua beat Wladimir Klitschko on April 28 and defend his IBF heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium then a possible unification fight could move a step closer for later in 2017.

Parker is likely to have to wait in line until after that bout but could fight the winner in a full unification showdown that will be a huge pay day for the Mangere-born boxer.