US boxer Deontay Wilder landed a devastating right hander to dump Cuba’s Luis Ortiz on the canvas and retain his World Boxing Council world title at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas late Saturday.
With former world champions Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. watching on at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Wilder had struggled to get the better of Ortiz before the American floored the Cuban in the seventh round.
This was Wilder’s 10th straight title defense and the 34-year-old is now unbeaten in 43 fights as he looks to unify all four heavyweight belts.
“When I see the right shot, it is baby good night,” Wilder told reporters, as he reflected on the punch that ended the fight.
“That was a punch intended to hurt for sure,” said the American. “I got him at the right angle, my feet were planted perfectly and I felt the torque.”
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Saturday’s bout was a rematch of their 2018 fight – then Wilder delivered a 10th-round stoppage.
The America is next scheduled to fight Briton Tyson Fury in February. If Wilder wins that bout a unification showdown could be on the cards against the winner of next month’s rematch between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz in Saudi Arabia.
