WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs) is now officially set to defend his title against Luis Ortiz (27-0-2 NCs, 23 KOs), who is unquestionably a major step up in quality compared to Wilder’s recent opponents, if not the best opponent to date for the American knockout artist. Wilder vs. Ortiz will take place at Barclays Center on November 4th — I know, same day as UFC 217 at Madison Square Garden — as part of an expected Showtime tripleheader.
Wilder hasn’t fought since February, when he stopped late-notice replacement Gerald Washington in the fifth round.