Champion Deontay Wilder KOs Bermane Stiverne in first round of heavyweight rematch

Undefeated champion Deontay Wilder knocked out Bermane Stiverne in devastating fashion with one second left in the opening round to retain his WBC heavyweight championship on Saturday night.

The 32-year-old Wilder delivered an explosive performance as he floored Stiverne two times in the opening round before finishing it off with a punishing right-left to the head as the defenceless challenger was pinned against the ropes.

Stiverne, of Canada, then slumped to the canvas and stayed motionless for some time before being helped up and into a chair where he was examined by the ring doctor at the Barclays Centre arena in New York.

“I know I am the best. I just want to prove that I am the best,” said Wilder.

Wilder was the heavy favourite going into the fight as he improved to 39-0 with 38 knockouts in the sixth defence of his title.

It was his second win over the 39-year-old Stiverne who came into the rematch 15 pounds heavier and had fought just once since losing to Wilder in January 2015.