Dana White: Vanhouter is the next heavyweight superstar — SkimNews
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- Dana White calls 21-year-old Da'Mazion Vanhouter the next "superstar" of the heavyweight division, saying the answer on whether he is America's next great heavyweight hope is "absolutely yes."
- Da'Mazion Vanhouter carries a 13-win record with 10 knockouts into Saturday's bout with Ivan Balaz on 7 November, on the Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke card live on Sky Sports from 7pm.
- Vanhouter is in line for a place on the Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury undercard if he delivers an impressive win over Balaz this weekend.
- White says he tries not to get overexcited about anyone before they prove themselves further down the road, adding that pressure in individual sports is "an absolute killer" after a loss and that fighters must be tested physically, on talent and under pressure.
- Deontay Wilder returns on the Fury vs Joshua bill in Cardiff on 11 December to face Jai Opetaia, who is stepping up from cruiserweight.
- Vanhouter says Wilder should not be fighting because he is "tarnishing his name," but backs Opetaia to stop him on skill and Wilder's suspect chin.
Why it matters: Zuffa Boxing founder Dana White has attached a concrete condition to his claim: an impressive win over Ivan Balaz on Saturday is the stated route onto the 11 December Joshua–Fury undercard in Cardiff, alongside Wilder–Opetaia. That puts the burden on a 21-year-old with 13 wins to deliver before the endorsement holds.
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