On Friday night, it became apparent that WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has shifted his immediate focus away from a unification fight against Anthony Joshua, who holds the WBA, IBF, IBO world titles.

Wilder is instead offering unbeaten Cuban banger Luis Ortiz a shot at his world title.

Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) and Ortiz (28-0, 24 KOs) were due to meet in New York on November 4, but the Cuban was replaced by Bermane Stiverne after he failed a drugs test. Wilder blew out Stiverne in the first round after three knockdowns. The third knockdown saw Stiverne crumble and go completely unconscious on the mat. 

The WBC has since cleared Ortiz - and the 38-year-old returned to the ring with a second-round knockout of Daniel Martz on Friday in Miami and taunted the ringside Bronze Bomber, who responded by agreeing to a bout between the pair.

"I think you're one of the best and I want to prove I'm one of the best. So for the best to prove they're the best, the best must fight each other. So I'm going to bless you again with a second opportunity," Wilder told Ortiz after entering the ring.

"I'm always a man of my word. Luis Ortiz you will have your fight, I will bless you again. This time, no excuses.

WBO title holder Joseph Parker is expected to be next in line for Joshua, with the New Zealander more willing than Wilder to accept a smaller share of the purse.

Ortiz believes Wilder was shaken up when they traded words in a face to face manner - but he expects their fight to actually happen this time around.

"He's a coward, I saw the fear in his eyes, but I think now this fight is going to happen," Ortiz said. "He knows that he has nowhere to hide, that there is nothing out there worthy of my talent, that the fans and the experts will not let him continue to face minor opponents."