WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) is getting geared up for what he plans to be a big year.
Wilder is slated to defend his title against Cuban puncher Luis Ortiz (28-0-1, 24 KOs) on March 3rd at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
They were scheduled to fight last November, but the contest got called out when Ortiz failed a pre-fight drug test.
The World Boxing Council had an investigation and cleared Ortiz after it was determined that he popped the test due to his prescribed medication for high blood pressure.
Wilder hopes there are no drug testing issues this time around.
Should Wilder win the fight, his focus will be on IBF, WBA, IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) of the UK.
Joshua has his own test at hand. The British superstar is being lined up for a unification with WBO world champion Joseph Parker (24-0, 18 KOs) on March 31. The two sides have nearly wrapped up their agreement for the fight.
If both champions come through, it will place in them in line for a showdown with five world titles at stake to establish a single world champion in the weight class.
Wilder just hopes Joshua is not going to overlook Parker - who confidently believes that the British boxer will get knocked out due to a questionable chin.
"Salute, 2018 is here. People I call it that 'take over' year," Wilder told his social media followers.
"Luis Ortiz get your mind right. I blessed you again. So again, don't f*** this up. On no English, si?
"As it's said, an eye for an eye.' I declare war on Anthony Joshua. Only one eye for an eye. You said 'what about Ortiz?' Oh, don't worry mate. The mandy on me this time playa. Just handle your bizz, but don't take the kid Joseph Parker lightly. I'm going to show you how it feels to really be hit by a real hitter."
