By Rick Reeno

Newly crowned WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (33-0, 32KOs) was very happy to go the full twelve round distance with Bermane Stiverne (24-2-1, 21KOs) on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Wilder rocked Stiverne several times in the contest, but could never put him away. There were moments in the fight where Stiverne was able to land big punches on Wilder's chin and to his body. The unbeaten puncher says he was never hurt by anything that Stivene was able to land.

"I think I hurt him quite a few times in the fight, but like I said he was a true champion. He has a nice chin, he takes a great punch. That's why I said he was the perfect guy for me. He didn't want to give up his title. Even though I had him hurt at times, he showed the toughness that he had," Wilder said. "And of course he didn't hurt me at all. I proved to people that I can take a punch and smile taking it and keep going."