[2] Following the retirement of Vitali Klitschko in December 2013, Bermane Stiverne stopped Chris Arreola to win the vacant WBC belt.

[3] It was announced on 13 December 2014, during the broadcast of Amir Khan vs. Devon Alexander, that Stiverne would make his first defence against 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist Deontay Wilder.

[6][7] Wilder was by far the more active boxer throwing more than double the amount of punches, using his height and reach advantage and keeping Stiverne on the outside with his left jab.

[8] At the end of the second round Stiverne, apparently hit by a punch, fell forward, which sent himself, Wilder and referee Tony Weeks down to the canvas.

In the post-fight press conference Wilder said that he wanted to fight unbeaten British contender Tyson Fury next before finishing the year with a showdown for Undisputed with Wladimir Klitschko.