America's next great heavyweight? 'Stop looking. I'm already here!'

1 hour ago 4

American boxing needs a great heavyweight champion, and Da’Mazion Vanhouter is here to audition for the role.

Vanhouter is in the early stage of his professional career but the prospect has been blasting through his recent opposition.

An explosive puncher, he's on a run of seven consecutive inside-the-distance victories. Overall nine of his 10 stoppage wins have come in the first round.

His last fight caught the eye especially. Against the six foot eight inches tall Raphael Akpejiori in Las Vegas, it looked like Vanhouter's left shoulder was badly wrenched out of position. He responded immediately - viciously knocing Akpejiori out with his other hand.

Twitter This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.

"It was just in the moment a very sharp pain, how my shoulder was angled," he told Sky Sports. "It wasn't too crazy.

"I'm just here to fight and showcase my skills."

Vanhouter is still only 21 years old and 13 fights into a professional career that began when he was just 17. As a teenager remarkably he boxed down at super-welterweight. He's put on nearly 80lbs since then as he's developed into a heavyweight.

"I've grown into my frame but I still fight the same, the same movement, the same speed, I think I've gotten faster and obviously I hit harder now than I did before," Vanhouter said.

America was once the home of heavyweight boxing. Over the last decade, with the exception of Deontay Wilder, European fighters have dominated the heavyweight division. It's prompted a search to find America's next great heavyweight.

Vanhouter is ready to answer the call.

"They already stopped looking. Because I'm already here," he said with a beaming smile. "I'm here for it. That's the role I've taken, it's normal.

"I wouldn't be boxing if I didn't want to be the best. That means I want to be the best heavyweight."

High expectation can lead to a harsh fall. Moses Itauma, only 21 years old too, was, and is, the next great hope in British heavyweight boxing.

But even Itauma came unstuck in his first world title fight, losing surprisingly to Filip Hrgovic.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the IBF heavyweight world title fight between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic. Video credit: Courtesy of DAZN

"You just can't rush the journey. It just wasn't his time and he just wasn't prepared for what happened," Vanhouter reflected.

"There's no need to rush."

The next step in Vanhouter's journey is a scheduled eight rounder against Ivan Balaz at the Copper Box Arena in London this Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Chris Billam-Smith and Cheavon Clarke will box in the headline event of Zuffa Boxing 12 at London's Copper Box Arena in November, LIVE on Sky Sports.

It's the American's fourth fight with Dana White's high-profile Zuffa Boxing promotion.

White believes that in Vanhouter they have a star for the future. "It would be great to have an unbelievable American heavyweight," White told Sky Sports.

"What America definitely needs is some heavyweights. Obviously we're high on him, we believe in him and that's exactly what we need for boxing in America."

Watch Vanhouter on the undercard of Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

Read Entire Article