Deontay Wilder vs Luis Ortiz rematch on, date and venue announced soon

With the shadow of unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua looming large over the home turf of his biggest rival, Deontay Wilder is also making moves.

Despite one of the key talking points ahead of Joshua’s US debut this Saturday - against Andy Ruiz Jr - revolving around the Brit’s desire to finally meet Wilder and decide divisional supremacy, the Alabama puncher will next defend his WBC belt in a rematch against old foe Luis Ortiz.

Wilder confirmed the widely rumoured return via his Twitter account, stating, "To all my fans,
I want to announce that Luis Ortiz and I have signed for a rematch, with the date and site to be announced shortly. All my controversial fights must get dealt with ASAP!!"

Wilder’s closing comment alludes to a further rematch with Tyson Fury, with whom he shared a highly contentious draw, in December. Deontay later appeared to support this supposition in replies to fans on his Instagram account.

As for Ortiz, since troubling and seriously hurting Wilder before being stopped in 10 rounds in March last year, he has won three times. Wilder has drawn with Fury then recently demolished Dominic Breazeale in the opening round earlier this month.