Ortiz by KO rounds 1-6 is the value bet here. Unlikely but he’s technically way better than Wilder and it can happen if Wilder comes out swinging Brezeale style - remember he took one massive punch in that fight that stopped him in his tracks. I wouldn’t rule out an upset. I tipped Ortiz to win the first fight and it was Wilder’s resilience in that first fight that made me realise just how hard he is to beat (notwithstanding the controversy when he was KD). Anyway great fight and I’m looking forward to it.
Some people are backing an early stoppage and obviously judging on his last fight it’s understandable...but Breazeale is terrible, he’s wide open and cumbersome. His chin is on a platter from the off and only his durability gets him through fights. Ortiz is stylistically a very different fighter, he’s southpaw with a very good jab and it’s not easy to land clean on him. Wilder’s success only came when Ortiz got greedy and tried to finish the job off. He burnt all his gas and got sloppy. If people remember, they barely landed anything significant in the first four rounds of the last fight, Ortiz is defensively very very good and economical with his shots. I know his resume’ isn’t all that but he is typically Cuban and awkward.
I think people are banking on Ortiz' age having caught up and he will have nothing left. I just don't see it personally, he is 40 atleast but has reasonably low mileage and looks in the shape of his life.
He's got 349 amateur fights on his record. Based on his fights since Wilder there do not seem many more miles left.
His last 3 fights...he starched Cojanu in 2nd round having won the 1st. He didn’t drop a round against either Kauffman or Hammer, stopping the former. He never ever looked like this amazing fighter.
Just watched his fight with Hammer which I am calling the Hammer House of Horrors, as it was horror-ble. Hammer's hardly known for his power and he only seems to have a right hand but he was catching Ortiz all night with it. Wilder's right hand is a different matter.
He had those kind of performances before Wilder too, he is a stereotypical Cuban in that sense. He never really exerts himself if he doesn't need to.
Exactly this. Technically excellent, conservative style, low output but economical. Never does more than he has to...typical Cuban.
I think prior it wasn't easy to land on Ortiz (although the low standard of opponents that Ortiz fought played a part). Against Hammer however, Hammer was able to land on Ortiz and catch much more often than poeple expected.
I'll rewatch their first later this week but i suspect it will go the same. Ortiz has a chance if the ref doesn't protect Wilder like the first...
How much stock do you put in the eye test though? David Haye looked in the shape of his life for those two cash-ins with Bellew but the reality was there was nothing left in the tank and his speed and timing were long gone.
Haye had been out for over 3 years after suffering a career ending injury. Ortiz has been fighting and hasn't dropped a round since the Wilder fight, against weak opposition of course.
