Deontay Wilder vs Luis Ortiz officially announced for March 3rd

Most anticipated heavyweight fight of the year. Godbless Deontay for finally bringing some excitement back to the division.

 

Bookie odds:

Deontay 1/2
Luis 3/2

When the first odds came in last September, Wilder was like 4/5 smh.

 

I'm interested in the odds on who pulls out a week before the fight.
And what reason is given.

Ortiz - injury
Ortiz - drugs
Wilder - injury
Wilder - arrested

Personally, I'd put my money on - Wilder - injury ... Ortiz fights Breazeale.

 

I gotta say I disagree. If Wilder plays more cautiously and uses the jab too much then he risks turning the fight into an out and out chess match, which he isn't going to win. Wilder may have faster hands than Ortiz but if handspeed is the only thing that makes a good jab then Jabnaddy Jabnaddyovich Jablovkin wouldn't have been able to smoosh Canelo's face for the better part of 8 rounds. Ortiz actually has longer reach than Wilder not to mention far superior timing and distance control skills, if Szpilka and Washington can outjab Wilder after a slow start then Ortiz will give him fits, and eventually knock him out.

Wilder's best bet IMO is to make Ortiz feel like the older, fatter bloke by forcing the pace and going for the KO immediately. That may sound reckless but I just don't think he can afford a slow start against Ortiz. I could be wrong though, Ortiz may very well be significantly faded and overrated at this stage. He hasn't really had a meaningful fight since Jennings, everybody else has either been completely gash or completely unwilling to engage.

 

I respect your opinion , but don't you think if Wilder uses his jab to control the distance, he won't let Ortiz to fight in his best - on the inside?

 

I guess you've got the scope to make your assertion, as Ortiz has looked lacklustre recently when he's required to be the lead and force the issue. But the thing is I just don't think Wilder can control the distance consistently enough. He couldn't do ot against Szpilka or Washington, and Ortiz is both rangier and more skilled than either of them. Ortiz may be a little slow but I still think he has the attributes to outjab Wilder.

This is what's great about this fight. Not only is it a step up for both guys, and an opportunity to establish themselves as a legitimate title holder, but I wouldn't be that surprised by any result. I just think Wilder by points is the least likely. Gods I just hope they actually make it into the ring.