WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) wants to make a big statement on March 3rd, when he defend his world title against Luis Ortiz (28-0, 24 KOs) of Cuba.
The Showtime televised bout is set down for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The two were scheduled to collide back in November, but Ortiz failed a pre-fight drug test and their bout was pushed back as the Cuban boxer was replaced by Bermane Stiverne, who Wilder demolished in a single round of action.
The World Boxing Council held an investigation, and determined that Ortiz's prescribed medication for high blood pressure was the root cause of his failed drug test - which allowed Wilder to reschedule him for the March date.
The two boxers went face to face and traded words last month in Miami, after Wilder confronted Ortiz following the boxer's stay-busy knockout win on Fox Sports 1.
"The WBC reinstated him and, being the champion that I am, I want to face the best, I say I'm the best, I want the best, I want to prove to the world that I am the best," Wilder said to Sky Sports. "I pulled Ortiz's card again to challenge him.
"I want him to be an example to the world that I am the best, no matter what you do, no matter what you say, no matter how hard you train, nothing will be able to stop me. I will prove it to the world, with Luis Ortiz. He will be my guinea pig. I will be the one champion. There will be one face, one name, and his name is Deontay Wilder. I promise you that."
The winner of their bout will be in line for the victor of the March unification showdown between IBF, IBO, WBA champion Anthony Joshua and WBO champion Joseph Parker, which takes place on March 31 from Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
