Saturday night’s bout at the Barclay against undefeated Luis Ortiz was expected to be the Bronze Bomber’s toughest test to-date. Ortiz, a formidable punch-counterpuncher, entered the Brooklyn contest undefeated — and nearly 30 pounds heavier than Wilder, who fought at his lowest weight since 2009.
Leading up the fight between the two knockout artists, Wilder talked up Ortiz for reasons more than mere puffery, candidly admitting that defeating the Cuban would be his greatest challenge to-date, not only in defending his WBC title, but as a professional.
The last half of the battle lived up to everything it was billed to be.