WBC World heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (40-0, 39 KOs) made a 7th consecutive defence of his title with a sensational 10th round KO over the undefeated Cuban Luis Ortiz (28-1, 24 KOs) last night at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The crafty southpaw made an organised start, outboxing the cautious Wilder and dictating the tempo of the first four rounds.. At a point in the fight where a breakthrough was needed, Wilder found one, staggering the stubborn Cuban before dropping him momentarily with right hands in the final moments of the fifth..
Ortiz recovered and maintained his composure quickly, even adopting a confident swagger whilst reclaiming the tempo of the action.. Round 7 would see a twist, whilst attempting to detonate a looping right, Wilder was clipped by a fast counter right hand from Ortiz, dazing the Champion, the challenger lunged in an attempt to seize his opportunity but was tied up by the obviously troubled Wilder. Ortiz landed several more damaging shots towards the end of the session, but Wilder was conscious enough to ride the storm.. curiously the ringside doctor took the time at the beginning of the eighth round to shine a light into the champions eyes following the visibly damaging round.. Wilder still appeared to be on unsteady legs through the eighth but showed savvy and guile to offset the pursuing Ortiz, who was for the first time looking fatigued.. At the beginning of the ninth Wilder looked completely revived and for the first time closing the gap between the fighters, measuring Ortiz with snapping jabs and crisp right hands in a remarkable comeback round.. The tenth was the spectacular closer, Wilder began to measure the now pedestrian Challenger, luring him into range. Almost at the halfway mark of the round Wilder turned Ortiz onto a short right that bothered the Cuban, snatching at the opportunity Wilder jumped on Ortiz almost hustling him to the canvas. The referee signalled no knockdown, but Ortiz was shaken... Continuing the momentum Wilder pursued his damaged adversary who defiantly opted to trade, with negative consequences, Wilders volume and accuracy again scoring a knockdown, this time a significant one, with Ortiz flustered and demoralised.. Barely able to control his senses the brave challenger climbed to his feet, only to be met by a relentless onslaught, concluding with a savage right uppercut at the 2.05 point which saw Ortiz challenge brought to an end.
The fight was one of the most captivating heavyweight title fights I’ve seen in recent years, both men enjoying success in a too and fro action packed battle..
Wilder, gracious in victory offered great praise towards his gallant opponent, calling Ortiz the craftiest most deserving challenger around, much avoided for that precise reason.. When asked about whether he’d prefer to fight Joshua now or take an interim fight, as Joshua had indicated in doing, Wilder replied.. “I’m ready right now, I’ve always said that I want to unify the division, and once I’ve done that I can move on and let someone else enjoy these titles.”
A reflective Ortiz appeared disappointed yet melancholy following with his brave showing, “There was nothing he brought that we didn’t expect, I just didn’t seize my opportunity in the 7th and 8th rounds, Wilder is a good champion.”
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