Deontay Wilder KO7 Luis Ortiz... Nearing his fifth year as heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder came from behind once again to knock out Luis “King Kong” Ortiz, this time in the seventh round. Behind on all three scorecards, by tallies of 59-55 twice and 58-56, Wilder ultimately needed just one right-hand bomb to land on Ortiz’ chin in order to defend his WBC crown for the 10th time. With Wilder, 219.5 lbs., pressing forward but fighting at a very measured pace, the Cuban southpaw took advantage and outboxed him each round, throwing quick straight-left counters, often catching the champion flush. Meanwhile, Wilder was offering little in return, pawing with his jab and sometimes mixing in a single power punch. Much of Wilder’s offense was either blocked or parried by Ortiz, 236.5 lbs., who fired back with his sneaky left. Despite the increasing deficit on the scorecards, Wilder inched closer and closer each round to get into proper position to land his lethal right hand. The sixth frame was his best up until that point, though by no means was it a dominant round. A flashy left hook from Wilder landed upstairs, catching the attention of the judges.

 

In the fateful seventh frame, Ortiz was having success with his own left hook. Wilder launched two right hands which came close but did not reach their intended target. Backing Ortiz against the ropes, Wilder pawed with his jab to blind his foe then came over the top with the fight-ending right hand directly on the chin. Ortiz fell on his back, tried to rise to his feet, but did not beat referee Kenny Bayless’ count. The knockout came at the 2:51 mark of the stanza to improve Wilder’s impressive record to 42-0-1 (41 KOs). Ortiz, who proved he is still very dangerous and capable of beating any top heavyweight in the world today, left the ring at 31-2 (26 KOs), suffering his second loss to Wilder.

 

 

POST FIGHT QUOTES

 

DEONTAY WILDER

 

"With Ortiz, you can see why no other heavyweight wants to fight him. He's very craft, he moves strategically and his intellect is very high. I had to measure him in certain places.

 

"I had to go in and out and finally I found my measurement. I saw the shot and I took it. My intellect is very high in the ring and no one gives me credit for me. I think I buzzed him with a left hook earlier in the round and I took it from there.

 

"Next, we have Tyson Fury in the rematch. It's scheduled for February, so we’ll see. Then, I want unification. I want one champion, one face and one heavyweight champion – Deontay Wilder. The heavyweight division is too small, there should be one champion and it’s Deontay Wilder.

 

"Ortiz is one of the best in the world. You have to give him that. I want to thank his family for allowing Ortiz to come into the ring and share his energy with me. I hope one of the other top heavyweights gives this man another opportunity."

 

LUIS ORTIZ

 

"This is boxing. I said that one of us was going to get knocked out and it wasn't going to go 12 rounds

 

"I was clear headed when I hit the canvas. When I heard the referee say seven I was trying to get up, but I guess the count went a little quicker than I thought.

 

"I'm ready for any battle. I want to thank my team and everybody that came to see this fight today."