By Arvin Nundloll at ringside
Photos: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (40-0, 39 KOs) defended his WBC title for the 7th consecutive time with a spectacular tenth round KO against previously unbeaten Cuban southpaw Luis “King Kong” Ortiz (28-1, 24 KOs) on Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Wilder dropped Ortiz at the end of round five. A right hand staggered him and another right floored him. Ortiz hurt Wilder badly in round seven and pummeled him. Wilder barely survived the round. Ortiz also won round eight big, but Wilder had a good comeback round in round nine. In round ten, Wilder floored Ortiz twice to get the KO win. Time was 2:05.
Wilder finally took on Ortiz after multiple failed starts. Ortiz started more aggressive than anticipated, pushing Wilder back with his jab and landing a few hooks that halted Wilder’s progress. The end of the 2nd round saw Wilder’s best punch where he landed a flush overhand right straight on Ortiz’ chin. Wilder started to struggle against Ortiz’ counter punching as he leans in awkwardly to land a jab while throwing Wilder off-balance. Ortiz dominated the 4th round, frustrating Wilder while landing a sharp left hook that rocked Wilder against the ropes.
Wilder knocks down Ortiz in round 5 that was started by a wild right hook that was subsequently followed up by another flush right that sent Ortiz tumbling to the canvas.
The 6th round brought heavy handed punching back from the boxing days of old with both fighters testing the textures of their chins but somehow still ended the round upright.
Rounds 7 and 8 nearly saw the end of Wilder as he lay against the ropes taking every combination from Ortiz but ended the round in one piece. The 9th round saw a calmer Wilder but still vulnerable against the ropers whenever Ortiz trapped him.
Ortiz goes down hard in the 10th from Wilder’s lunging right hook, Ortiz makes the count but is finally dropped for good shortly after with a well-timed left hook that forces the referee to call off the fight. Stunning end to a magnificent showcase of talent in the heavyweight division.
