Luis Ortiz: record, next fight and profile →
LAS VEGAS – Deontay Wilder feels like he is just getting started. The undefeated WBC heavyweight champion turned 34 on October 22. That’s usually an age by which boxers are considered outside of their physical primes. Wilder believes he is an anomaly, however, because he got such a late start in boxing and hasn’t absorbed an inordinate amount of punishment throughout his time in this brutal sport.
Deontay Wilder dealt with two close calls in a nine-month span last year in which Luis Ortiz and Tyson Fury presented challenges the WBC heavyweight champion of the world had never seen. Before the right-hand dependent — and dominant — fighter restored order with a first-round destruction of Dominic Breazeale in May, he was involved with close encounters where he edged Ortiz by 11 punches, 98 to 87, in a competitive brawl before knocking him out, and in a fight where Fury outlanded him 84 to 71 in a draw.
Deontay Wilder is playing chess in boxing’s glamour division, thinking three moves ahead in order to be the king. First, Wilder must get past Luis Ortiz in a rematch on Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas (FOX PPV). If he passes the test with flying colors, and in full health, he’ll turn around to fight Tyson Fury three months later on a previously agreed and announced date of Feb. 22.
LOS ANGELES – If Luis Ortiz is bothered by Deontay Wilder signing a contract for another rematch before they even fight, Wilder’s upcoming opponent isn’t letting on. The Cuban contender dismissed the deal for Wilder and Fury to fight again February 22 as meaningless. A second Wilder-Fury fight obviously is contingent on Wilder overcoming Ortiz in their own rematch Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Former two division world champion Paulie Malignaggi believes the public is overlooking the danger of Cuban banger Luis Ortiz, who on Saturday night will challenge Deontay Wilder for the WBC heavyweight title.
Floyd Mayweather Sr. Video Interview - Boxing's longest reigning heavyweight champion, WBC titlist Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder,and hard-hitting Cuban slugger Luis "King Kong" Ortiz went face to face at the final press conference Thursday before they rematch in the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View main event this Saturday, November 23 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (photos by Stephanie Trapp, Ryan Hafey)
Devin Haney Video Interview - Boxing's longest reigning heavyweight champion, WBC titlist Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder,and hard-hitting Cuban slugger Luis "King Kong" Ortiz went face to face at the final press conference Thursday before they rematch in the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View main event this Saturday, November 23 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (photos by Stephanie Trapp, Ryan Hafey)
Ben Davison Video Interview - Boxing's longest reigning heavyweight champion, WBC titlist Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder,and hard-hitting Cuban slugger Luis "King Kong" Ortiz went face to face at the final press conference Thursday before they rematch in the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View main event this Saturday, November 23 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (photos by Stephanie Trapp, Ryan Hafey)
By Mitch Abramson - Luis Ortiz's trainer, Herman Caicedo, is aware of the rumors, the jokes, the punchlines. Luis Ortiz is older than his listed age of 40. Luis Ortiz is older than most retired fighters. Luis Ortiz is older than fighters who no longer exist. A satirical website has Ortiz being born before World War II and making his professional debut when...
Luis Ortiz, Deontay Wilder Weights Photos Gallery - Boxing's longest reigning heavyweight champion, WBC titlist Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder,and hard-hitting Cuban slugger Luis "King Kong" Ortiz went face to face at the official weigh-in before they rematch in the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View main event this Saturday, November 23 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (photos by Stephanie Trapp, Ryan Hafey)