Replacement Gerald Washington is planning a massive shock on February 25 when the heavyweight contender challenges WBC title holder Deontay Wilder in Alabama. The undefeated 34 year-old was drafted in when Andrzej Wawrzyk tested positive for a banned substance and has every intention of taking advantage of the situation Washington currently finds himself in.
“It’s going to be an exciting fight and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Washington told. “I’m thankful to my team and Al Haymon for putting me in this position. I’m just looking forward to showing my skills and taking advantage of this opportunity. It’s going to be a great fight. He’s got knockout power, he’s big and tall. It could be a long night but I look forward to the challenge.”
Asked what his plan was had the Wilder call not happened, Washington answered: “I was just in the gym preparing to possibly fight on the card against another opponent when the call came as Deontay Wilder’s opponent fell out. I gladly accepted.
“I’ll definitely be well prepared. I’ve been facing this style for a while now and have a real good understanding of it. I know what Deontay Wilder brings to the table and I know how to defend against that. I’m looking forward to stepping in the ring with him and letting him have a taste of his own medicine,” he said.
Washington has 18 wins and a draw on his record, having battled to a ten-round stalemate with Amir Mansour in October 2015. ‘El Gallo Negro’ has since defeated former world title challenger Eddie Chambers and also-ran Ray Austin in a stay busy fight and has been on the peripheral of a championship chance for some time now.
The Chambers win, which was over eight rounds, looks to be the standout win of his career thus far as Washington steps up into the world class domain in a bid to prove he fully deserves to be mixing it with the best around.
