Boxing: Deontay Wilder to face WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne

Knockout specialist Deontay Wilder will face WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne on January 17 in Las Vegas.

Stiverne, 36, won the belt via a sixth-round technical knockout of Chris Arreola in the wake of former holder Vitali Klitschko retiring.

The Haitian-born Canadian, who has racked up 21 knockouts and suffered only one defeat in his 26-fight career, will now make his first defence against undefeated American Wilder, who has stopped all 32 of his opponents since turning professional in 2008.

Stiverne said: “Don’t blink on January 17. I am the heavyweight champion of the world and nobody is going to beat me. I’m excited and I’m looking forward to making a statement. Talk is cheap. I do my talking in the ring.

“I’m all business. The only time he’s going to get my attention is the night of the fight. I promise you, he will get more than he bargained for and more than he’s expecting."

Wilder was equally confident, adding: “I’m expecting a short night because we have bad blood. I really want to hurt this guy, and I haven’t felt this way in a long time.

I’m expecting a short night because we have bad blood. I really want to hurt this guy, and I haven’t felt this way in a long time.

“I want to show him this is no joke, this is real. This is business.This is the hurt game and my power is real. I told him that I’ll whoop his ass and I’m going to keep my promise."

Wilder had been touted as a possible future opponent for undefeated British and European champion Tyson Fury.