Breazeale incredibly claims Wilder fight was stopped too EARLY despite brutal KO
WBC champion sent his fellow American crashing to the canvas with a huge right hand in the first round
DOMINIC BREAZEALE has incredibly claimed his devastating defeat to Deontay Wilder was stopped too early by the referee.
The Bronze Bomber produced a sensational knockout in the first round to defend his WBC title in New York this weekend.
Breazeale was left sprawled on the canvas after Wilder landed a huge right hand with just 43 seconds of the opening round left.
The American challenger climbed back to his feet, but referee Harvey Dock waved the fight off.
Speaking about the decision, Breazeale said: "I think the ref stopped it a little early because I could hear him saying 'seven' and 'eight', but that's boxing.
"He did his job and kept us safe for our next fight.
"I got on my feet and had my legs under me. It's the heavyweight division so there's going to be big shots from guys with power.
"This was a situation where he landed the big right hand before I did.
"I thought I was going to come on in the later rounds. I'll be back and go for the heavyweight title again."
Even Tyson Fury decided to congratulate "the second baddest man on the planet" after the stunning knockout.
But Wilder turned his attention to fighting Anthony Joshua to decide who is the undisputed heavyweight king.
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The 33-year-old said: "This Joshua fight is going to happen - I believe in all of my heart it will happen.
"It is our duty and our obligation to do it for the fans. All parties involved are talking.
"It will take our teams to sit down, handle things, squash everything and get it done for the fans."
