Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder at 31-0 (31 KO) has made a brutal and sizeable impact on the heavyweight division in recent times. I think up until a year or so ago a lot of naysayers spoke of his record been padded but slowly but surely that perception is starting to shift following some emphatic wins, particularly his last knockout victory in March just gone against Malik Scott when he knocked him out in the very first round.

That was arguably his first real credible name on his resume and the fact he dispatched of him in such quick and violent fashion has really made the boxing world take note in recent months.

Looking at the heavyweight landscape out there at the moment you'd have to say this guy has a real chance of winning a world title by the end of the year. With the WBC belt now in the hands of Bermane Stiverne there is a good chance that later in the year Wilder could get a crack at the title. Even if he doesn't, you'd have to think that he certainly has the ability to beat Stiverne who although is a very competent and powerful guy probably doesn't have the explosiveness and raw athleticism of a Wilder.

Of course there is no longer any Vitali Klitschko to contend with either given his recent decision to fully pursue his political ambitions in his native Ukraine. You've got a pool of guys in contention now that include the likes of Tyson Fury, Chisora, Pulev, Price, Haye, Povetkin, Perez, Jennings, etc.

With the exception of the division's reigning king pin Wlad Klitschko I'd rate Wilder's chances of beating any of those guys quite highly to be honest. He'd probably give Wlad a real run for his money too, even at this stage of his career and given Wlad's superior experience. 

I think Wilder has all the atools needed to trouble a guy like Wlad. He's a man who will have the strength to not let Wlad hold onto him too often and bully him. He also has roughly around the same reach which is something Wlad would not be accustomed to. If you look at a lot of the defeats Wlad Klitschko has had in his career, oftentimes its guys that throw looping unorthodox punches that have given him trouble in the past. Wilder is certainly a man who has those in his arsenal and isn't afraid to pull that trigger when needed.

Deontay Wilder is also a guy who's got that tremendous amateur pedigree, which is often a key indicator as to how guys develop as seasoned professionals. Granted its not always the case but the fact he's one a bronze medal at the Olympics will definitely stand him in decent stead as the intensity and pressure levels increase in his pro career.

"The Bronze Bomber" who likes to use the term "Bomb Squad" has got all the physical attributes needed to succeed at the top level. I even think he's got the mental one's too. He's a very humble, hard working guy and after sparring with David Haye last year Haye himself said he thinks Wilder will without doubt go on to become a big star in the sport. I suppose the key question is like with any heavyweight, is how good is his chin? I guess we won't truly know the answer to that question until he is really drawn into a competitive fight that goes past 6 rounds. From what I understand his chin certainly stands up to the test in sparring but time will tell how it is proven in the ring.

My bets are on Wilder becoming a heavyweight champion definitely within the next twelve to eighteen months.