Deontay Wilder is Even Wilder Than You Think, Luis Ortiz, Barclays Center Preview
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Brooklyn, NY (March 2, 2018)– He turned pro in 2010 at age 30. Now, only a few weeks short of his 39th birthday, Luis ‘King Kong’ Ortiz, 28-0 with 24 knockouts and one No-Contest, a Cuban heavyweight southpaw out of Miami, Florida, who has held the WBA regular title, will challenge Deontay Wilder for the World Boxing Council World Heavyweight championship this Saturday night, March 3, 2018, in the main event of a 12 bout card at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, promoted by Lou DiBella Entertainment and Tom Brown Promotions, broadcast on USA Showtime and Panama RPC Channel 4.
Wilder, 39-0 with 28 knockouts, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is 32 years old, and will knock out or stop Ortiz between rounds nine and twelve. It could be late in the bout before Ortiz is stopped, or Ortiz might just go the distance in a valiant but losing effort. Ortiz may go for broke early, but he is too old now to win the title, and he is not the next Jersey Joe Walcott.
There will be a number of heated exchanges early. Wilder might actually get dropped once or twice, and both fighters could exchange knockdowns in the middle rounds. Ortiz can hit hard, but Wilder can hit hard as well, and he is younger and faster, and will force Ortiz to fight a furious pace. The later rounds will tell the story, if the bout even goes that long. Ortiz probably represents the most serious challenge Wilder has seen since the first Bermane Stiverne fight. Whoever wins this bout could be in line for a mega-bout with Anthony Joshua next.
Undercard Predictions at Barclays Center
Andre Dirrell Win Majority Decision 12 Jose Uzcaregui, Interim IBF World Super Middleweight Title.
Rematch of the May 2017 Disqualification win by Dirrell at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland,, after Uzcaregui hit Dirrell after the bell ending round 8. Uzcaregui was ahead on two of three scorecards. Another judge had the bout even. Uzcaregui could do an Andrew Golota and take the fight dirty yet again, but it is unlikely. Good match up.
Kyrone Davis Win 10 Patrick Davis, Super Welterweights
Alicia Napoleon Win 10 Femke Hermans, Vacant WBA World Female Super Middleweight Title
Sergiy Derevyanchenko Win 8 Dashon Johnson, Middleweights
Willie Monroe Jr. KO 7 Carlos Galvan, Middleweights
Charles Martin Win 8 Opponent To Be Announced, Heavyweights
Gary Antuanne Russell TKO 3 Keasen Freeman, Super Lightweights
Richardson Hitchins TKO 4 Charles Stanford, Super Lightweights
Kenny Robles Win 6 Javier Martinez, Welterweights
Shyngskhan Tazhibay Win 6 Opponent To Be Determined, Welterweight
Chordale Booker Win 6 Emmanuel Sanchez, Super Welterweights
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