Wilder v Ortiz looking likely for November in Brooklyn.

Word has it that negotiations are already under way for a Deontay Wilder, Luis Ortiz fight on November 4 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The November 4th date looks most likely however there is a small possibility that an unoccupied October 14 date also in Brooklyn could claim the bout..
Promoter Lou DiBella's, DiBella Entertainment, who have promoted Wilder’s more recent fights in conjunction with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions reserved both Barclays dates previously with Wilder in mind..
Deontay Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs) however has a mandatory due against former opponent Bermane Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs), Wilder took the WBC title from Stiverne back in January 2015, and although a rematch doesn't appear to have the appeal of an Ortiz match, it could prove the only stumbling block technically..
If all concerned get the green light for a Wilder-Ortiz bout, its most likely that it would be broadcast by the Tv network Showtime.
Haymon and Don King, Stiverne’s promoter, have been negotiating a step-aside agreement that would pay the Haitian/ Las Vegas based Stiverne a sizeable sum for allowing Wilder free passage to defend against the dangerous Ortiz, who’s currently ranked No3 by that organisation.
The 38-year-old Cuban (27-0, 23 KOs, 2 NC) does look the part, an awkward southpaw with solid technical ability and impressive power, yet at his advanced age, needs to secure this kind of opportunity now, rather than later.. Wilder, 31, has been very steadfast about not facing fighters who have a history with PED's
His 2016 fight against Russia’s Alexander Povetkin was canceled on short notice due to Povetkin’s positive Meldonium test, 8 months on, scheduled opponent Andrzej Wawrzyk tested positive for a banned substance opening the door for last minute replacement Gerald Washington..
In February 2015 Luis Ortiz was stripped of his WBA interim title for tested positive for an anabolic steroid during a test before his knockout of Lateef Kayode in September 2014.
Wilder had originally stated that he wouldn’t fight Ortiz because of his previous PED usage.. but has more recently backtracked, apparently changed his mind. Ortiz, who signed a managerial agreement with Haymon three months ago, must first enrol in the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program in order to obtain a shot at its title, and according to a press release from the WBC just this week, Ortiz has not been tested by VADA at all in 2017. Wilder is enrolled and fully supports the program and has tested negative multiple times..

Ortiz is coming off a string of impressive wins, most recently over in the Uk last December when he stopped durable Dave Allen in Manchester..
incidentally, Bermaine Stiverne has tested negative this year, but also missed a test, according to the WBC’s current listings..
If Deontay does take the Ortiz bout, and all things necessary to bring the fight to fruition run accordingly, the WBC champion will gain a whole lot of admiration from the boxing public including myself, Wilder could have very easily taken the much simpler Stiverne route and chosen a less perilous path..