WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is set up to have a big couple of months. The heavy hitter from Alabama is scheduled to take on Luis Ortiz and Tyson Fury in November and February, respectively, in rematches from classics in 2018. But to get to his huge payday against Fury, Wilder must get through the dangerous Cuban power puncher.
Wilder (41-0-1, 40 KOs) and Ortiz (31-1, 26 KOs) first met in March 2018 in a competitive fight that saw Ortiz trouble Wilder several times before Wilder scored a knockout in Round 10 to remain undefeated. After that, Wilder and Fury fought to a controversial draw to set up the potential rematch in 2020. But Fury had his own issues in tuneup bouts with Otto Wallin opening a massive cut on the Englishman's eye that required 30 stitches. Now, Wilder is putting himself in danger with the man who gave him his toughest test to date.
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Ortiz has ripped off three consecutive wins since suffering his lone professional loss and is hoping to cash in on what is a rare second chance to claim a championship despite losing by knockout.
In the co-main event, Brandon Figueroa (20-0, 15 KOs) puts his WBA super bantamweight title on the line for the first time when he faces Julio Ceja (32-4, 28 KOs). Figueroa won the interim version of the belt two fights ago before being promoted to the division's regular champion ahead of the showdown with Ceja. Ceja is a former champ on a two-fight losing skid, most recently dropping a decision against Guillermo Rigondeaux in June.
Plus, former three-division champ Leo Santa Cruz returns when he moves up in weight to take on Miguel Flores for the vacant WBA super featherweight title. Santa Cruz's lone professional defeat came in 2016 by majority decision to Carl Frampton, but he has rebounded nicely with four consecutive victories.
Wilder vs. Ortiz viewing information
- Date: Nov. 23 | Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena -- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Start time: 9 p.m. ET
- TV: Fox PPV ($74.99)
- Live stream: FoxSports.com
Wilder vs. Ortiz fight card, odds
- WBC heavyweight championship -- Deontay Wilder (c) -600 vs. Luis Ortiz +450
- WBA super bantamweight championship -- Brandon Figueroa (c) -550 vs. Julio Ceja +360
- Vacant WBA super featherweight championship -- Leo Santa Cruz -4000 vs. Miguel Flores +1500
