WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is promising pain and punishment for mandatory challenger Bermane Stiverne.
The two rivals will meet in a rematch on November 4th, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Showtime will televise the contest.
The contest is a rematch of their January 2015 collision, which saw Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs) dominate Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs) for a twelve round unanimous decision to capture the WBC title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Wilder was originally set to face undefeated Cuban banger Luis Ortiz (27-0, 23 KOs). The fight was officially canceled on Wednesday, when the WBC refused to sanction the contest.
Ortiz was removed after failing a pre-fight drug test as part of the WBC's Clean Boxing Program. He was taking a prescribed medication for high blood pressure, but never disclosed it to VADA [Voluntary Anti-Doping Association].
That's Wilder's third opponent, in 16 months, to fall out after testing positive for a banned substance.
Stiverne has been the only man to last the full distance with Wilder, but the champion is promising that he'll never see the final bell when they meet for a second time.
"Stiverne asked for it, so he’s going to get it,” Wilder said. “Whatever happens happens. Ask and you shall receive. I’m relieved to be getting my mandatory out of the way. At least now I won’t have to deal with that down the road.
“In the first fight, I broke my hand in the third round, and I still dominated. That was a lot of the reason why it went the distance. This time it’s a different day, different time and different fight. This time it won’t end well for him.
“Despite all of these obstacles that are thrown in my path, it still will not stop me from reaching my ultimate goal, which is to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Stiverne will pay for Luis Ortiz screwing up."