Wilder to defend heavyweight title vs Szpilka

NEW YORK — Unbeaten Deontay Wilder will defend his piece of the heavyweight title when he meets Poland's Artur Szpilka on Jan. 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Wilder, who won a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics, will be making the third defense of his WBC title in a scheduled 12-round bout that will be broadcast on Showtime. Wilder, an Alabama native, is 35-0 with 34 knockouts. Szpilka is 20-1 with 15 KOs.

Wilder won the WBC title by beating Bermane Stiverne in January in Las Vegas. He has defended it twice in Alabama, winning both fights by knockout.

Szpilka has won four straight since suffering his only loss in January 2014 when he was stopped in the 10th round by Bryant Jennings.

Most in boxing recognize Tyson Fury as the true heavyweight champion after he beat Wladimir Klitschko last month in Germany to end a decade run on top of the division.