Deontay Wilder vs Luis Ortiz

Alabama NewsCenterDeontay Wilder, left, will face Luis Ortiz in NY on March 3.

Ortiz reached his feet quickly and the round ended before Wilder could capitalize on hurting his opponent.

Deontay Wilder has successfully defended his WBC World Heavyweight title after overcoming the challenge of Luis Ortiz via a tenth-round stoppage – however, it was far from plain sailing for “The Bronze Bomber”.

31-year-old “Special K” should be a certainty to win against the 32-year-old Belarusian, but, of course, nothing is inevitable in boxing.

Questions surrounding Wilder’s chin had now been answered, and the champion went on to answer others surrounding his spirit and resolve.

Wilder, in outstanding circumstances, not only saved his reputation but enhanced it: he’s unorthodox, certainly, but fought a vastly superior boxer and survived a world of pain to emerge victorious for the 40th time. “I did receive a right hand, but I’m OK”. The challenger stalked him but was unable to pin him down for another set of attack.

But with no date set to fight England’s Joshua, Wilder had to face the risky counter-punching Ortiz (28-1). Ortiz was down in all fours after the punishment but managed to get up to his feet to beat the count.

The tense clash then swung wildly once more in a mad 10th round which had Ortiz down and out with just 55 seconds left until the bell.

Wilder’s opponent is Luis Ortiz, who calls himself King Kong, and who gave up an extraordinary amateur career in Cuba (he has said that his record was 343-26, though documentation is scant) in order to turn professional in America.

Referee David Fields stopped the fight as soon as Ortiz went down to his knees and gloves from that devastating shot.

This fight alone is interesting but it takes on even greater significance when you consider the big picture. We know that. He was coming off nearly a two-year layoff.

“He put up a great fight and we knew I had to wear him down…”

A doping charge against Ortiz resulted in the cancellation of Wilder vs. Ortiz a year ago but now that all that is cleared up, the fight is going ahead this weekend. He credited the champion for “weathering the storm” and hoped for a rematch in the future. On Saturday, we have a fight between two unblemished giants with show-stopping power, and it should be a thrilling battle to watch.

‘Also Brits love to come to Vegas for a huge fight and make a holiday of it I think economically, the most likely venue would still be Las Vegas.

NO JOSHING When is Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker, and can I still get tickets for fight?

“I’m ready right now”. I’m ready whenever those guys are. “I am the best and I am ready to show it come Saturday night that I am the best in the world”.

I’m not alone, Wilder is known for being weak in many areas, especially defensively, but has brutal power that can bail him out of any situation.