Deontay Wilder vs. Luiz Ortiz: Live round by round results

Two undefeated heavyweights are duking it out for heavyweight supremacy in Brooklyn, and we’re bringing you live round by round results.

Deontay Wilder is the brightest light for American heavyweight boxing in some time. To prove he’s the man in the glamour division of the sweet science, a victory over Luis Ortiz would be a nice addition to his resume.

Both the Bronze Bomber and his lesser known but extremely accomplished Cuban foe enter Saturday night’s showdown in Brooklyn are undefeated, but given their respective knockout percentages, there’s a decent chance one of them leaves the Barclays Center after looking up at the lights. And to be honest, the division could use a scintillating stoppage in a fight like this.

The idea is for Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) to eventually have a title unification bout with Anthony Joshua, who also fights later this month. To even think about that, he’ll need to get by Ortiz (28-0, 24 KOs, 2 NC), who not only brings his own power to the ring but the kind of amateur background you’d expect from someone who came up in the Cuban boxing system.

The Showtime crew reminds us that Ortiz once tested positive for a banned substance, but he’s been tested numerous times prior to tonight and passed them all. Both Wilder and Ortiz have been the type of fighters that prospective opponents have preferred to avoid, but now, everyone in the heavyweight division is more or less on a collision course with each other.

Tonight’s live broadcast also has a co-feature with super middleweight Andre Dirrell taking on José Uzcátegui in a rematch of an encounter that ended early when Uzcátegui was disqualified for hitting after the bell in what turned into a wild scene. To make matters crazier, a pre-match urine test for Uzcátegui tonight turned up what appeared to be blood, calling the rematch into question as well.

That fight did take place, with Uzcátegui getting his redemption by way of an eighth-round stoppage. Showtime is spending just a bit of time to talk about the main event and discuss things with some of the other fighters and celebs in attendance.

But we’re finally ready to go. Ortiz makes his ring walk first, sporting a bright green hooded vest with his ‘King Kong’ nickname across the front. As a southpaw, he may cause some issues with his thunder coming from the opposite side.

The Bronze Bomber enters second, led by a large entourage that includes Lil Kim, who is sort of, kind of rapping on her way in. Wilder has a yellow vest on, hood up, with his mask in place as well.

And we’re finally ready to start trading leather. The referee in charge tonight is David Fields. Jimmy Lennon Jr. makes the fighter introductions, and we are set for a scheduled 12 rounds of boxing for Wilder’s WBC heavyweight championship.

Round 1

The atmosphere at the Barclays Center feels pretty electric as we begin. Ortiz tries wild jabs that make Wilder retreat. The challenger lands a jab to the body. The challenger scores with a combo, then a light left to the body. Jab upstairs too. Wilder probes a bit and then rushes away. Wilder’s jabs are being caught by Ortiz’s lead arm. Counter left by Ortiz that grazes Wilder on the way in. A short exchange finds both men landing on the inside.

FanSided scores it: 10-9 Ortiz

Round 2

Lots of pawing as Ortiz tries to come forward. Wilder jabs to avoid being caught on the ropes, and Ortiz slips while trying to throw a big left. Ortiz reaches with a left before they go back to jabs. Wilder pumps a right hand; Ortiz hits him in the body with a left. Another sharp left to the body scores for Ortiz. Light left by Ortiz and Wilder misses with a big right. Wilder finally scores with his own counter right before the bell.

FanSided scores it: 10-9 Ortiz, 20-18 Ortiz after two rounds

Round 3

Ortiz is chasing Wilder around the ring, not really landing his jab. A sharp one finally does connect, as well as a short left downstairs. The Showtime announcers discuss how this fight is being fought at the challenger’s preferred pace. The crowd doesn’t like this lack of fireworks. Wilder’s right is blocked with both hands. Someone could steal this with 30 seconds to go. Ortiz misses a wild left as Wilder slips away.

FanSided scores it: 10-9 Ortiz, 29-28 Ortiz after three rounds

Round 4

There’s a good jab by Wilder to start things off, which he hasn’t been able to do much. A combination follows as Ortiz tries to answer with a left. Wilder throws a tentative right and a 1-2 combination upstairs. Wilder pounds his chest after being hit with two light body shots. Counter right just misses from Wilder, and Ortiz shoves the champ back with a left. Ortiz backs Wilder up and lands a left. The Bronze Bomber is backing up again, possibly giving this round away as he has to cover up to fend off a flurry. Tough round to call.

FanSided scores it: 10-9 Wilder; 39-37 Ortiz after four rounds

Round 5

This is likely already longer than Wilder would have preferred this to go, and not the showcase for his skills he would have hoped either. Ortiz narrowly misses an uppercut, then goes to a double jab. Jab by Wilder before both men throw power shots. Uppercut by Wilder is easily blocked. Plenty of jabs by Ortiz, and he gets the better of an exchange in the corner. Suddenly, there’s a bomb of a right hand by Wilder, and Ortiz wobbles before going down. He’s up at the count of eight, and the round is over, but that was a fight-changer.

FanSided scores it: 10-8 Wilder; 47-47 after five rounds

Round 6

Ortiz looks like he’s got his legs under him, but he gets tagged by a right hand and a wild exchange breaks out. Thought someone might go down there. Wilder is off balance as he’s hit by a counter. The challenger is still giving the champ plenty to think about when he opens up. Jabs land both ways. The pace slows, but only until Ortiz lands a couple of power shots. He reaches with a huge left, and Wilder misses a big response at the bell.

FanSided scores it: 10-9 Wilder; 57-56 Wilder after six rounds

Round 7

Steve Farhood has Ortiz up by a point, so you know it’s close despite the knockdown. Ortiz is back behind his jab, to both the head and body. Wilder shoots a right over the guard. Fans booing again since there’s not much in terms of power punching in the middle of the round. Ortiz feints his way in and throws a left. Wilder lands a right hand, but the right hook in return has Wilder wobbly. Ortiz backs the champ into a corner and unloads with both hands. Wilder survives until the bell but that was an onslaught that brought the crowd to life.

FanSided scores it: 10-9 Ortiz; 66-66 after seven rounds

Round 8

Ortiz clubs his way in and has Wilder cornered again. The champ is trying to counter, and it’s turning wild again. Wilder blocks a left hand and shakes his head. Ortiz punches to the body with both hands. He looks like he can land those at will. Halfway through the round, and Ortiz is doing most of the work. Wilder is trying to load up the right, but he’s not pulling the trigger. Another left scores for Ortiz.

FanSided scores it: 10-9 Ortiz; 76-75 Ortiz after eight rounds

Round 9

We’ve had two dramatic momentum swings in this one already. Is there another one still in store? Ortiz reaches to the body, and Wilder looks like he’s moving well again. The fans try to get the champ going by chanting his name. Wlder just misses with a left but eats the counter coming back. Ortiz measures a left that backs Wilder up, but he does manage a stiff jab as a response. The challenger backs Wilder up, and Wilder lands a right hand before both men score after the bell. Close round.

FanSided scores it: 10-9 Ortiz; 86-84 Ortiz after nine rounds

Round 10

As with most rounds in this fight, this one opens with both men jabbing. Suddenly, both men land power shots, and Wilder hurls Ortiz to the mat after it looked like he hurt the challenger more. Clubbing shots score by Wilder, including a solid left hook, and Ortiz is down for the second time tonight. Ortiz barely beats the count, getting to his feet at nine. Wilder rushes forward and lands three flush right hands, Ortiz goes down for the third time, and that is it! Wilder scores a dramatic KO victory to retain his title.

The winner by TKO at 2:05 of Round 10 … and still WBC heavyweight champion of the world … “The Bronze Bomber” Deontay Wilder.