On paper, Saturday night’s heavyweight title fight is a huge risk for Deontay Wilder.

While he beat Luis Ortiz by TKO back in March 2018, the Cuban was the first opponent to ever cause the WBC champion any real trouble.

Ortiz had the better start in that first meeting and was comfortably out-boxing Wilder, even managing to rock the champion with a right hook in the seventh round.

Ultimately, though, Wilder wore the older man down with some big shots and secured the stoppage in the 10th round.

Going back in with Ortiz appears dangerous for Wilder, particularly with a massive rematch with Tyson Fury scheduled for February, but this fight shouldn’t be nearly as tough as it was the first time around.

When these two first fought, Wilder had never been in with a truly elite opponent. He has since come through a war with Fury to earn a controversial draw and knocked out Dominic Breazeale – who is no bum – in the first round in May.

Ortiz is now 40. His age showed as he faded dramatically against Wilder back in 2018, so there’s no reason to expect anything other than another stoppage win for the champion on Saturday night.

It’s likely to come much earlier this time as Wilder will be keen to make a faster start, just as he did in his demolition of Breazeale.

After a cagey start, expect the American to land one of his trademark hooks to end the fight in the middle rounds.

Wilder to win by KO/TKO/Disqualification

Wilder to win in rounds 4-6

#BetYourWay: Ortiz to be knocked down in rounds 1-3

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