Heavyweight Deontay Wilder goes for 29th KO in 29 fights

Has there been a more overlooked American heavyweight boxer than Deontay Wilder? The 27-year-old native of Tuscaloosa, Ala. is 28-0 with 28 knockouts.

His list of opponents certainly leaves much to be desired, but you can’t deny the results. And he proved that he could be a legitimate prospect after a first-round knockout of Audley Harrison (31-6) in April.

Harrison, 41, is nothing more than a journeyman, but he’s crafty, experienced and just the kind of veteran Wilder needs to be facing at this stage in his career.

Wilder will be on display when he takes on Sergei Liakhovich (25-5) in a scheduled 10-round bout at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, in Indio Ca. on Friday night on ShoBox: The New Generation card.

So how exactly did Wilder, a 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist, and the last American heavyweight since Nate Jones in 1996, get overlooked? He didn’t start boxing until he was 21 and only had 35 amateur fights before turning pro. He’s only had one 12-round fight and three 10 round bouts so far.

Since turning pro four years ago, Wilder has had little time off. That’s how he likes it. He’s convinced that staying in the gym is the way to a world heavyweight title.

"I honestly don't have any time off. I'm always up in the gym. When people call somebody a 'gym rat,' I am definitely that,” said Wilder. “This is my job and I take it seriously whether I'm outside the ring or inside. The only way to get better is to train and practice hard.”

Wilder trains with former world champion Mark Breland.

“The most time I'm off after a fight is maybe a week. After that, I'm training and waiting on the next fight,” Wilder added. “When I go to camp, I don't go to camp to get in shape. I go to camp to put shape on top of shape. I'm never out of shape."