How Hungry Is Deontay Wilder?

Hunger can pertain to more than just food

First, things first - Deontay Wilder is no hack. He's a hard hitting, exceedingly fit, plus size heavyweight of the contemporary variety who can take out the Great Wall of China with a single shot and who is actually growing into a boxer of considerable skill. With that being said, the WBCs version of the heavyweight titlist is frequently accused of facing less than stellar competition.

While that's been hard to argue in the past, I have a hard time swallowing the argument that Artur Szpilka, who Wilder will be facing Saturday night in Brooklyn, is anything other than a solid, dangerous foe. It may not be a superfight, but Saturday's throwdown is a legit heavyweight contest that no one should scoff at. Indeed, I wouldn't be stunned if Wilder lost - though I'm still picking him to win.

Still, if Wilder pulls it off as he's expected to this weekend, there will be the inevitable question of who's next. And that's where things will get interesting. Will Wilder be willing to face someone many feel could actually beat him at this point? Povetkin, Fury, Klitschko, heck, even Haye - these are names Wilder can expect to be thrown in his direction. Will he rise to the occasion? Or will he prove the naysayers right?

Here's hoping the guy's true blue. And by true blue I don't mean someone who offers lip service before letting the Al Haymon barrier keep good matches from happening. If Mayweather-Pacquiao proved one thing it's that major fights CAN be made between Haymon fighters and those in the greater boxing world outside his realm. Let's hope Wilder - again, provided he wins on Saturday - affirms what fans already know.