With his intriguing, arguably career-toughest fight with Alexander Povetkin having fallen apart due to well-documented reasons seemingly everyone is aware of, WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder moves on – but to what fight? Wilder wasted a lot of time and money setting up two camps for the Russian test/mandatory defence, and it’s likely he isn’t in the best of moods right about now as a result of getting absolutely zero for his efforts. This could be bad news for “The Bronze Bomber’s” next foe, whoever it may be.
One man who recently called out Wilder is unbeaten Cuban puncher, southpaw Luis Ortiz. A claimant of a version of the WBA heavyweight title, the 37-year-old must face Alexander Ustinov next – the fight being agreed, for June or July in the U.S, with just an exact date and venue to be announced – but after that, Ortiz wants Wilder. A great fight on paper, this would be a true test for both men (Wilder-Ortiz arguably being a better match-up than Wilder-Povetkin was). Ortiz, known as “King Kong,” has certainly scared off a number of good fighters, with Golden Boy head Oscar De La Hoya stating more than once now how difficult it is getting his fighter fights, and Ortiz says he will KO Wilder if given the chance.
“Tell Oscar to sign it, I’ll knock Wilder out,” Ortiz told FightHub. “Alexander Ustinov is planned for June or July, it’s just a matter of waiting for Oscar De La Hoya to lock it down, and HBO. King Kong is here and he’s going to be the best in the world.”
Ortiz could well be the best heavyweight in the world today, but until he gets the big, big fights, he cannot prove it. Ortiz, 25-0(22) demolished a good fighter in Bryant Jennings for what is arguably his biggest and most noteworthy win, while last time out he took apart veteran former contender Tony Thompson. Now, as part of the WBA tournament to crown just one man as their heavyweight ruler, Ortiz looks forward to taking apart Ustinov (who has been stopped just once, by Kubrat Pulev).
After that, should he do as expected and win, Ortiz will hopefully get himself a big fight he is more than worthy and deserving of. It’s true though, no big name heavyweight – be it Wilder, Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua – is to be heard calling out Ortiz. Too good for his own good? It’s certainly been said before now that that is indeed the case with Ortiz. But to paraphrase a quote from an immortal heavyweight king in Joe Louis; the other champions can run, but they can’t hide – as in they cannot run and hide from Ortiz forever
Will Wilder look Ortiz’ way? Wilder obviously wants to keep his WBC crown, and the next contender in line after Povetkin is former foe Bermane Stiverne. Disappointingly for the fans, a rematch of the fight that saw Wilder first rise to world champion might be a lot more likely than a Wilder-Ortiz collision.
