Bizarre to rematch a guy who caused you the problems Ortiz. First fight was a good one. Actually proved Wilder wasn't all talk but not sure why he would go back in with Ortiz again. Ortiz will be another year older -slower? Maybe thats what Wilder is banking on for an easy win and while its an OK fight there are too many better ones out there.
Been in the works for a long time, shouldn't come as a surprise. That's why Ortiz was rejecting other fights. He's looked largely poor since the Wilder fight, which to be fair he almost won and was a good fight to watch. But I think this is going to be a bit of a blowout now. Not a 1 rounder though. Dominic B countered Wilder hard at one point and Ortiz is significantly better at that. 4 rounds.
I think it's a blatant duck, so when AJ calls him out on Saturday after the fight he can use the excuse that he's fighting Ortiz next. If rumours on Twitter are to be believed then it's likely going to take place in September, assuming he'd want a full camp before any AJ fight so we won't be seeing the fight in the winter either.
If this isn’t some weird promotional tactic where they are setting people up for disappointment to only then make the AJ fight, then it’s abysmal. Shameless. Pipe dream and would never happen, but people need to boycott the actual big fight when it finally gets made. That would put a stop to marinating fights.
I don’t think this will go as long as the first one did. Ortiz knows that he does not have 12 rounds in the tank against a Wilder, so I expect him to open up and take chances...and we all know how that ends. I don’t think he fears Joshua, I just think he’s intent on walking his own path and leaving Joshua out to dry by having fights with Ortiz, Kownacki and (hopefully) Fury lined up. When Joshua has seen Ruiz off, who do you think he’ll fight next? I don’t see many mouthwatering options apart from possibly Whyte or Pulev. That will make their team more desperate to make a fight with Wilder or Fury.
'Walking his own path' is a nice way to say duck, but it's still a duck nonetheless. He's behaving like someone who's putting off a job they really, really don't want to do. If you've told everyone you really want to mow the lawn, expect questions when you admit you'll have to do it tomorrow because the tv (which you dusted yesterday) needs dusting again.
Pudding Pulev and Pudding Whyte are simply fights for Tony Dosh mandatory or non mandatory - in fact the Heavyweight Division is a disgrace at present with all living in Duck City
Just to add, we could actually see Wilder clearing out Breazeale, Ortiz and Kownacki in just a few rounds altogether. It’s potentially low mileage, maximum income, exposure and increasing his value. It’s not what I want to see, at all. However, I can understand what they’re trying to do. I don’t believe it’s about Joshua but rather trying to boost his own profile over there & become a huge name in the US. That will be a good fight that.
I don’t think it’s a duck. You’re a huuuuge Joshua fan though so you will only bang out the same narrative as his team. I don’t like it, this isn’t what I want, it drives me mental cos I want to see the biggest fights. I just think it’s a power thing though with Wilder’s team rather than a duck. This is them showing that Joshua needs Wilder more than the initial split (from the first negotiations) suggested.
It's clear this isn't applicable to all parties. Joshua fights in three days and has said even before this fight happens that his main focus afterward is Wilder. Three days beforehand Wilder decides he desperately needs to rematch a man in his early 40's who he's already knocked out.
The boxing world never really recovered from the staggering controversy that was Wilder vs Ortiz. I know I'll sleep easier when I have some closure. If only every match could be as conclusive as Wilder vs Fury. *sarcasm detector disintegrates*
Early 40’s, i’d say early 50’s mate. Don’t forget though, Ortiz was a fight AJ wanted himself on Saturday.