On Saturday night WBC heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) will defend his title against hard punching Cuban Luis “King Kong” Ortiz (28-0, 24 KOs) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn NY.
The fight will be broadcast on Showtime beginning at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT.
Both fighters looked in the best shape of their careers at Friday’s weigh in as the 6-foot-7 Wilder weighed 214.75 pounds the second lightest of his career, and the 6-foot-4 Ortiz weighed in at 241.25 pounds.
Weights from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York for Saturday night’s Showtime card: heavyweight world titleholder Deontay Wilder 214.75 pounds, Luis “King Kong” Ortiz 241.25, interim super middleweight titleholder Andre Dirrell 167.75, Jose Uzcategui… https://t.co/XRsG0U7VbE
— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) March 2, 2018
Each man is facing the toughest opponent of their career and with a combined 62 knockouts between them; they know this fight could end at any moment with one punch.
Here are the keys to victory for each fighter
Keys for Wilder:
- Use the jab often
When he uses it, Wilder has one of the more effective jabs in boxing. Wilder can keep Ortiz off him by throwing his jab often and to set up his right hook which is his most devastating punch. He also needs to mix up his jab by throwing jabs to the head and body which will throw off Ortiz and make him an easier target.
- Don’t throw wild punches
Wilder’s biggest flaw is that he swings wildly often to the point he looks like an amateur. If he does this against the powerful Ortiz he’ll get countered and may end up on his back.
They say 7 is a lucky number. I’ve defended my #WBCHeavyweightTitle 6 times already. That makes #LuisOrtiz lucky number 7. I already have God, power and skills on my side, and now I have luck too. I can’t lose. #WilderOrtiz #BombZquad #KINGvsKong #PBConShowtime pic.twitter.com/LZv9YyziQA
— Deontay Wilder (@BronzeBomber) March 2, 2018
- Stay on the outside
Wilder is one of the most athletic heavyweights we’ve ever seen and he has huge advantages with his 6-foot-7 frame if he keeps the fight outside against the slower and older Ortiz. No need for him to fight on the inside and give up his advantages. Stay on the outside and out of the reach of Ortiz.
Keys for Ortiz
- Look to time Wilder and counter him
Ortiz is at a disadvantage when it comes to speed, athleticism and power in this fight. But he is an excellent counter puncher and counter punching is his best way to pull off the upset.
He must time Wilder’s punches and counter with his powerful left hand if he’s going to win on Saturday night. Wilder leaves himself open when he swings wildly and Ortiz needs to make him pay by throwing hard hooks.
- Try to get inside and force Wilder to the ropes
As we mentioned if this fight is fought at a distance and in the middle of the ring, Wilder will win. Ortiz must somehow work his way inside and force Wilder to the ropes where he can use his weight advantage and nullify Wilder’s advantages.
- Hold if you get hurt
One of the mistakes Wilder opponents make when he hurts them is that they don’t hold which allows Wilder to unleash a flurry of punches. If and when Ortiz gets hurts by Wilder, he must hold to weather the storm.
Prediction: This will be a very entertaining fight but eventually Wilder’s advantages will breakdown Ortiz. I have Wilder winning by 9th round KO.
