Deontay Wilder Confirms Title Defense Against Luis Ortiz on November 4
News broke this week that WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder would return to the ring in November to defend his title once again.
Yahoo! Sports and The Tuscaloosa News reported that Wilder would face an undefeated opponent for his second fight of 2017. On Wednesday, the boxer confirmed the news during an appearance on The Steve Shannon Morning Show on 95.3 the Bear.
"Me and Luis Ortiz is going to happen," Wilder told host Steve Shannon.
"It's been out there, it's getting out there. We're about to really drop the bomb and announce it and stuff. But, you know, that's basically what it is. November 4th, we're going to be at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn fighting Luis Ortiz, 'King Kong.' We're looking forward to it.
"He's labeled the most feared, most avoided heavyweight in the division. I beg to differ. That's why I pulled this card."
Ortiz, 38, hasn't lost in 29 professional fights and 23 of his victories have come by way of knockout. He's earned the nickname 'The Real King Kong' for his power as a southpaw.
"Everybody gets so excited about the Cuban style and his aggressive style in the ring, which you've got to give him credit for. But there's only one 'one hitter quitter' and that's what we used to call it in the division and that's me."
This will be Wilder's first bout since defeating Gerald Washington in Birmingham in February, but he's already looking ahead to a potential opportunity to unify the heavyweight belts.
"Once we do that, then next year we're going to unify the division with the Joshua guy."
You can hear the entire interview from The Steve Shannon Morning Show in the video above.