Time to get heavy at Barclays Center

Wilder vs. Szpilka Headlines Saturday’s Downtown Boxing Card

January 15, 2016 By John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Deontay Wilder, shown here during his workout at Downtown’s Gleason’s Gym, will battle Artur Szpilka at the Barclays Center Saturday night as Brooklyn hosts its first heavyweight title bout in 115 years.

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After waiting 115 years for a heavyweight title fight in Brooklyn, local boxing enthusiasts can get two for the price of one Saturday night at Downtown’s Barclays Center.

In the main event, WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will make his third defense against Poland’s Artur Szpilka, who is out to become that nation’s first-ever heavyweight title-holder.

“This is big for me,” Wilder said on Tuesday while working out at Downtown’s historic Gleason’s Gym. “Being in New York and making history, that’s a dream come true. I’ve been looking to come to Brooklyn for a long time to display my talent. Barclays Center needs a face and I’m looking to make it a home away from home.”

“I want to be the first Polish heavyweight champion of the world. I’m ready,” added Szpilka, also getting in his last few jabs, crosses and hooks at the fabled gym. “This is important for Poland and my Polish fans.”

Unbeaten Charles Martin and Vyacheslav Glazkov will also duke it out Saturday night for the vacant IBF heavyweight crown. Tickets are still available for the bouts, which will also be televised live via SHOWTIME, beginning at 10 p.m.