Deontay Wilder survived a pummeling from Luis Ortiz, then knocked out the challenger in the 10th round Saturday night to retain his W.B.C. heavyweight title.
It was a wild affair for the final few rounds after a dull series of pawing and gesturing by Wilder gave Ortiz a solid lead. Even after Wilder knocked down Ortiz in the fifth round, the bout remained in Ortiz’s favor.
Then, in the seventh, Wilder appeared out on his feet, but he never hit the canvas. Wilder stumbled to his corner when that round was over, and the end seemed near for Wilder.