Seems to me with AJ tied up fighting Pulev and him having defeated an ATG in his 19th fight Wilder knew he had to step up if he was to negotiate a fight with the division #1 (and superstar). You agree?
maybe. a part of me thinks the only reason why Wilder took this dangerous fight vs Ortiz, was to get some shine on himself, considering his peer Anthony Joshua was getting more attention & praise in a much shorter amount of time. he prolly got a bit jealous and wanted to prove he was just as great of a fighter. but I could be wrong.
I think he knew he had to do something to help secure a potential fight with AJ. Despite having a title he wasn't at the front of the queue in regards to facing Joshua. Pulev and Ortiz were first in line. The winner of Parker/Fury would also be a more likely scenario than Wilder as the exposure of that fight to the UK fans might make them an easier sell and then of course the possibility of Tyson coming back. Wilder could of very well been left out on the sidelines for 2 years. He also knew if he wanted a serious payday he had to do something to build interest in the fight, he wasn't going to get big bucks and garner US PPV dollars unless he could really sell the fight to the networks. It's why he said after Joshua beat Wlad he wanted to unify with Parker first before taking on AJ. Wilder needed more leverage and needed for people to see him as a possible threat and beating Parker would of done that. Ortiz has looked vulnerable of late but despite that he's still very highly regarded. It's a calculated risk one that could backfire badly. But if he wins, it very nicely sets up a fight with AJ. He removes AJ's mandatory off the board while at the same time leap frogging every other possible opponent to the head of the queue.
Yes by guaranteeing him a fight after Pulev. It would have been disasterous for Ortiz knowing he had to wait for a huge pay day for the Joshua fight ,thats why he was overwhelmed and took on wilder bc he was being squeezed into it ?
If anything it was US TV Networks who probably told Wilder unless he fights a top #5 HW they won't broadcast. He's gotten so many passes with guys from Boxrec 45-75 it was about time he stepped up. I'm glad it happens and I hope it won't fall apart last minute!
