Deontay Wilder knocks out Luis Ortiz in the 10th in a thrilling bout

By Jeremy Herriges | Mar 3, 2018

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 04: Deontay Wilder looks on before his fight against Bermane Stiverne during their rematch for Wilder's WBC heavyweight title at the Barclays Center on November 4, 2017 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz met in one of the most highly anticipated U.S. boxing heavyweight championship bouts in the last decade, and the Bronze Bomber proved something in victory.

For years, boxing pundits criticized Deontay Wilder for not fighting the biggest names in the heavyweight division. He ended that critique by fighting Luis Ortiz, one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the world. His performance was more than admirable.

Before the fight, while talking to Jim Gray, Wilder stated that he weighed a slight 214 pounds due to an illness that he had during camp. Many were surprised and concerned by Wilder’s light fighting weight. He proved there was no reason for worry.

Wilder made his way to the ring in his usual flamboyant manner being escorted by Lil’ Kim, who rapped during the intro.

Round 1 started cautiously. The boxers were trying to figure out their roles. Halfway through the round, Ortiz became the aggressor. He threw several straight lefts to Wilder’s body. His jab was on point as well, winning him the round.

Ortiz continued to press the action in the second round. Wilder flicked out a left jab, but it never did any damage. Ortiz slipped with two minutes left as Wilder landed a glancing left. It gave Wilder some confidence, but no damage was done to Ortiz. This was a hard round to score, but Ortiz’s body punches probably carried the round.

Ortiz continued to out-jab Wilder in the third round. Ortiz tried to land some power lefts, but they mostly missed. It was an uneventful round which made the crowd boo. Ortiz won the round because he pressed the action.

Wilder landed his first right hand early in the fourth. He picked up his work rate slightly but not much. Ortiz landed a nice left with 1:30 left in the round. He stole the round in the second half by being active. The rounds were starting to pile up against Wilder.

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Ortiz started to dance in the fifth. His confidence grew and he started to showboat. Just when Wilder looked like he was sleepwalking through this fight, he landed a right that floored Ortiz. His swagger was erased and his face turned into a mask of death. He got to his feet as the bell rang. Ortiz was in trouble and seriously hurt. It was a 10-8 round for Wilder.

Ortiz came out of his corner jabbing in the sixth. He landed another right with two minutes remaining. Ortiz got on his bicycle. The momentum completely changed. Wilder stayed calm and Ortiz survived the round. His head appeared to clear, but this was Wilder’s round.

Ortiz found his jab again in round seven. He slowed the pace, which is what he needed to do. Wilder slipped in a few straight rights but he definitely slowed things down this round. When things looked like they were getting quiet, Ortiz slammed Wilder with a right hook that badly hurt Wilder.

The onslaught continued, and Wilder looked out on his feet. He barely survived the round. He had no defense for Ortiz.

Before the eighth round started, the doctors stopped the round to take a look at Wilder. Ortiz continued to stalk the champ. Wilder fought back but lacked steam on his punches. Wilder was on his back foot the entire time. Ortiz owned this round, and Wilder didn’t look like he was recovered.

Surprisingly, Ortiz looked gassed between rounds. Wilder looked dazed. Wilder started the ninth with a straight right. Both fighters took a break after that where no punches were landed. Ortiz mounted a brief assault with 1:30 remaining. Fatigue set in for both men. Wilder hurt Ortiz with several rights as the bell rang, winning his first round since the sixth.

Ortiz looked lethargic at the start of Round 10. Then, Wilder caught Ortiz with a counter right that damaged Ortiz. Wilder threw Ortiz to the ground. But soon it was punches that sent Ortiz crashing to the canvas again, and the challenger barely got up at nine. Wilder put Ortiz out with a devastating uppercut. Ortiz stayed on the ground for several minutes, and the fight was over.

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For all the people that ever doubted Deontay Wilder’s chin, heart, opposition level or skills, stop doubting. He is for real. Wilder was hurt, but he never went down and he fought through it. He never panicked. Wilder stayed patient and made his punches count.

Wilder is the great American hope of heavyweight boxing. This was his greatest moment, and he is hungry for more. Wilder deserves tremendous credit for knocking out Ortiz. He was brilliant on this night, proving beyond a doubt that he’s a true champion.