Back in March of 2018, WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder made a voluntary defense against Luis Ortiz at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Wilder dropped Ortiz three times before the contest was waved off in the tenth round. But before that happened, Ortiz had Wilder in serious trouble and ready to go in the seventh.
The rematch is scheduled for November 23rd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Ortiz believes the officials in Brooklyn gave Wilder some time to recover, at the start of the eight round, when a brief timeout period was called - for the ringside physicians to check if Wilder was physically capable of continuing.
But Wilder has promised to put Ortiz to sleep in the rematch.
The rematch will be distributed on pay-per-view in the United States by Fox Sports.
And now in the UK, the fight has been picked up by Sky Sports.
"The first fight with Luis Ortiz was a 'Fight of the Year' candidate and this one will be nothing less," said Wilder to Sky Sports. "I'm going to knock out Luis Ortiz on November 23.
"I love my UK fans and I am happy for my company BombZquad Promotions to bring this great fight to you on Sky Sports."
Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing, was very pleased to secure the UK rights to the rematch.
"We're delighted that Deontay Wilder is back on Sky Sports in an exciting Premier Boxing Champions rematch. We've covered much of Deontay's thrilling career and cannot wait for the next chapter of his dramatic reign as the WBC champion," Smith said.
"It's a crucial time in the heavyweight division, with Wilder risking his unbeaten record against the dangerous Ortiz, just two weeks before Anthony Joshua attempts to regain his world titles from Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch on December 7."
