By Keith Idec

LAS VEGAS – Tyson Fury isn’t worried that Luis Ortiz will ruin his rematch with Deontay Wilder.

The undefeated Fury figures Wilder will knock out Ortiz faster in their second fight than he did when they fought 15 months ago. Wilder survived serious trouble late in the seventh round of their March 2018 bout at Barclays Center to drop Ortiz twice in the 10th round and knocked him out.

The Wilder-Ortiz rematch likely will occur in October or November. Fury (28-0-1, 20 KOs) also must win another fight to ensure a second meeting of his own with Wilder (41-0-1, 40 KOs), the WBC heavyweight champion.

Co-promoter Bob Arum expects Fury to return to the ring September 21 or October 5, maybe at Madison Square Garden in New York. Fury’s opponent for that fight hasn’t been chosen.

Fury, who stopped Germany’s Tom Schwarz (24-1, 16 KOs) in the second round Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena, expressed confidence during the post-fight press conference regarding Wilder’s ability to beat Ortiz again.

“No, it doesn’t concern me,” Fury said. “You know, Luis Ortiz, like I said before, is 147 years old. So, Wilder should knock him out quicker than he did last time. I believe Wilder will get him out of there in a couple of rounds. Catch him early and he’s gone. He’s got no legs underneath the guy. Like I said, he’s 147 years old.”

The Cuban-born Ortiz is 40, though speculation persists that the powerful southpaw is actually older than his listed age. Regardless, Ortiz only has lost to Wilder and he has gone 3-0 since Wilder defeated him.

With Wilder’s big payday for a rematch with Fury at stake, Ortiz (31-1, 26 KOs, 2 NC) is perceived to be a dangerous opponent for him. Fury just doesn’t see it that way.

“It was a clash of styles before, first time [Wilder] probably fought a southpaw who was experienced,” Fury said. “So, I think he’ll get him out of there quite quick. I’m not concerned. But even if the worst does happen – Wilder gets chinned in a round – then whenever a door closes, another one opens. So, what’s meant to be will be.

“We can’t alter what’s gonna happen in the future. We have no control over it. So, I only can control myself and do what I’ve gotta do, my end of the deal. And I look to do that October the 5th or September 21st, whichever one we go on. And I can only do what I can do, as a fighter, to prevent it happening to me.”

Wilder and Fury fought to a controversial split draw December 1 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Fury got up from two knockdowns – one in the ninth round and another in the 12th – to finish that WBC heavyweight title fight on his feet.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.