PHOTOS: Deontay Wilder Training for Luis Ortiz Rematch

Deontay Wilder training for his rematch with Luis Ortiz (Photo: Mayweather Promotions)

By Chris Robinson

WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder recently held an open media workout inside of the New Era Boxing and Fitness in Northport, AL, ahead of his upcoming rematch with former interim champion Luis Ortiz. Wilder (41-0-1, 40 KO’s) will face the Cuban-born Ortiz (31-1, 26 KO’s) on Nov. 23 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV on FOX pay per view.

In their first fight, Wilder dropped Ortiz in the fifth round, only to see the tables turn as he found himself in trouble a few rounds later. Wilder went through fire to score an 11th round TKO victory, and plans for another emphatic performance later this month.

“With Ortiz we know that he’s a smart fighter and a great counter puncher,” Wilder explained. “He’s really good at what he does. I’m the only person in the top five who’s given him the opportunity. I don’t think I threw enough jabs at him in the first fight. The positioning of my feet was not as good as it could be. The movement that we have is very awkward when you have an orthodox fighter against a southpaw. I’m looking forward to making it another great fight.”

Wilder strayed from a prediction, but seems to feel an early knockout isn’t out of question.

“I’m planning to stress Ortiz out,” Wilder stated. “I’ve never been good with predictions. My energy for this fight makes me want to say to everyone, be careful in that first round. I’m the kind of fighter where you can’t blink. You’re always on the edge of your seat and you never know what’s going to happen. I’m looking to beat Ortiz in even more dramatic fashion. When we fought the first time, I had a bad flu. I could have called off the fight but I want to be able to do things that other fighters shouldn’t or wouldn’t do.”