Wilder: ‘Ortiz looks good, but I don’t think it’s going to matter against a fighter like me’

Much has been made of how in shape heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz(31-1, 26 KOs) is as he gets ready to battle WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder(41-0-1, 40 KOs) on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

The 40-year-old Ortiz is hoping to avenge his only loss in this fight. The last time these two men fought back in 2018, Wilder was able to stop Ortiz in 10. However, according to Ortiz, that stoppage was a byproduct of him being tired.

“I don’t like to lose,” Ortiz said at a press conference on Wednesday. “There were legitimate circumstances why I wasn’t at my best the first fight. It was a fatigue stoppage. I believe if I had continued, I would have gotten the knockout. It was only fatigue, but I’ve corrected that this time around, so the better man will win.”

While Ortiz might be in better shape for this clash, Wilder believes it won’t matter.

“Luis Ortiz looks good, but I don’t think it’s going to matter against a fighter like me,” Wilder said. “I’m in shape 365 days a year. I come to camp in shape. The first day of camp, we were sparring. It’s always good to see my opponents in shape and prepared properly for a war. That’s all I can ask. Because they know what they’re in for when they go against me.”

This is probably Ortiz’s last shot at a title, and he believes that Wilder is making a huge mistake by fighting him again.

“This isn’t just Deontay fighting any other opponent,” Ortiz said. “Obviously, Deontay had his reasons for taking this fight. But on Saturday, I’m going to show why that was a mistake. I’m going to be the new heavyweight champion of the world.”

Both guys have power, and both guys have felt the effects of each other’s power. Therefore, whoever can withstand the power, will probably win this fight on Saturday night.

Photos: Team Ortiz, Sean Michael Ham/Mayweather Promotions