WHO WINS and HOW? Wilder vs Ortiz 2

Me, I think Deontay Wilder goes at Luis Ortiz like the Cuban told him that Alabama is the worst state in the union, and that his boxing form is laughably amateurish for someone who purports to be a mega-star. I think that the Bronze Bomber dispatches of the 40 or so year old hitter within three rounds, and gives the fans that pound of flesh climax they seek.

But not everyone agrees; some think Ortiz is slimmer, trimmer, and not to be so easily cast aside in this FOX/PBC PPV by the WBC heavyweight champeen, age 34, with a 41-0-1 mark.

I reached out to the NYF Squad, our crew and extended fam, to ask them about Wilder versus Ortiz 2, who wins and how?

“Wilder has improved greatly since the first fight, and Ortiz seems to have remained the same or even declined,” said Kelsey McCarson of NYF and Gambling.com. “I like Wilder to score the stoppage this time somewhere within the first six rounds. Ortiz is crafty enough to get through some of it, but Wilder will land something big and Ortiz won’t be able to keep him from finishing the job.”

“I think we all sit around waiting for that day when Deontay Wilder’s poor fundamentals, less than stellar defense, wild punching, and questionable chin catch up with him,” said David Phillips, boxing and film analyst. “Ortiz is a heavy hitter and very dangerous. He was older than my grandpa’s loafers when they fought the first time. Since their last fight, I’m pretty sure he’s only gotten older. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ortiz wobbles Wilder at some point, but I’m thinking the end result will be the same. Wilder by KO. This time in 5.”

“You’ve got to go for Wilder,” said Chris Glover. “I think he’s improving still. Ortiz looks in great shape and I’m sure will be there till the later rounds, but I can’t see passed a Wilder late stoppage. Deontay has shown he carries power down the stretch and doesn’t fade, and I think that will be the key to victory.”

“Y’all know me, I’m crazy, and though I know Wilder is capable of destroying Ortiz and everyone is going with the favorite, I’m jumping out the window without my parachute and calling an upset. Ortiz in 9 or by TKO,” said Xavier Porter of Brooklyn Fights and Shoot the Five. “In order for that to happen he must do the following…

“Wilder by KO because his power is undeniable and Father Time is undefeated,” Vladimir Lik of RING said. “Wilder took Ortiz’ best shots and survived and Ortiz could not take Wilder’s. Ortiz claims he ran out of gas last time and his body looks phenomenal but he won’t stand up to the pulverizing right hand.”

“Wilder in 5 exciting rounds,” said Marc Abrams of 15Rounds.com.

“Thematically throughout 2019, 2 of the big 3 in the division have looked less than stellar,” said Hamza Ahmed.  “Anthony Joshua was supposed to steamroll late replacement Andy Ruiz Jr way back in June. Instead, Ruiz tore up the script and etched his name in history, becoming the first ever heavyweight champion of Mexican descent. Both have a rematch scheduled next month and it remans to be seen whether it will be repeat or revenge. Tyson Fury bust out of the blocks with a performance (yes, performance and not a fight) against overmatched Tom Schwarz, designed to celebrate Fury signing a monster deal with ESPN and to bring him to the forefront of American eyeballs. Yet this past September, he suffered a hideous cut against unheralded Oto Wallin which resulted in the Gypsy King bumbling around like a drunkard at a Christmas party and barely retaining his lineal championship.  

“Wilder is the only one to have not dithered on the edge of defeat so far this year, with his only performance being an electrifying first round KO over Dominic Breazeale. Yet there’s still time for that to happen, given the troubles Ortiz gave him last March with that round 7 giving Ortiz hoping of catching Wilder. Yet logically will it? Yes Ortiz looks to be in the best shape of his life but he’s older, slower and looked bad against a fringe opponent in Hammer. Wilder, as technically deficient as he may be, has never been this confident and is riding career high momentum. He has the power to end any fight with one shot and as he correctly said earlier in the week, he only needs to be perfect for 2 seconds and it’s light out.

Crazier things have happened this year, especially in the heavyweight division but I can’t see myself picking against logic. Look for Wilder to bring the curtains down on Ortiz in SPECTACULAR fashion. Wilder KO9.”

“With Ortiz having given a red-line performance in their first fight combined with being 20 months older (mind, as an athlete, going northward by 20 months is more significant in terms of decline if it has taken you to 40 rather than 20 or 30), Wilder should get the job done quicker and with more room to spare too,” said analyst Robbi Paterson. “It’s hard to go against the general consensus here—Wilder via quicker stoppage, and more dominant for however long the fight lasts. Although, surprisingly, Shawn Porter and one or two other notables in the trade are pointing their fingers in the direction of the Cuban, Ortiz.

“But, me, I’m going with the chaotically styled Alabamian, the guy with enough power in his hazardous right hand that it could turn a small building into a mountain of rubble, to bomb Ortiz into obscurity inside 6 rounds. Not a definitive pick by any means, though, ladies and gents. Ortiz might, just might, turn the clock back to March 3, 2018, to give yet another titanic losing effort. Or, go one better by ripping up the script altogether. But whatever the outcome is, it should be fun while it lasts, folks.”

“Luis Ortiz is in the best shape of his life for his rematch against Deontay Wilder,” said Jeremy Herriges. “Ultimately, It’s not going to make a difference. Wilder’s skills aren’t on par with Lennox Lewis or Evander Holyfield, but he’s smart enough to make adjustments and learn from his mistakes. Wilder doesn’t get enough credit for his ability to make adjustments. He experienced what Ortiz had to offer, and his offense and defense will be sharper the second time around. Wilder’s confidence is sky-high. Look for him to take Ortiz out by round 7.”

“Wilder via round 3 KO,” said Josh Friedman of SiriusXM. “No flu holding him down this time. Mark it down!

“Wilder within 6 rounds,” said John Vena, boxing announcer/color man. “Too bad we never got to see how Ortiz would have fared against guys like Ruiz, Joshua and Fury. This fight will ruin Ortiz unfortunately. There is a slim chance he can pull it out but I just think the added mileage makes him do worse than last time.”

“I always think it’s setting myself up to fail when asked to predict a winner,” said Pete Carvill,  “but I see it this way:

1) Wilder won the first fight.
2) Ortiz is older.
3) Ortiz has failed two tests so that’s going to be something that’ll be scrutinized so he won’t have any chemical assistance.

It’s a fight that’s been hyped up a little. The first was a good one, but nothing that was really crying out for a rematch. So Wilder should win, followed by a Fury rematch.”

“I’m rising with Wilder,” said analyst Augustus Tyler, ex fighter.  “He’ll make a statement and stop Ortiz, again. Maybe sooner. He won’t let Ortiz get a chance to use his well conditioned body.”

“Ortiz is in excellent shape,” said Tommy Rainone, “as good as he has ever looked which tells me he fully recognizes this is his last big shot. I see him as a very live underdog more so because he has boxing IQ and most likely picked up on some things from the first fight. That being said I won’t pick against Wilder and his power but Ortiz has a chance here.”

“Ortiz gave Wilder trouble early last time and hurt him but Wilder’s power not for the first time got him out of jail,” said Anson Wainwright of RING. “I expect Ortiz to have his moments but Wilder will get to him and stop him a little earlier this time, I think around eight rounds.”

“Wilder by round 6 KO,” said Tony Palmieri of Star Boxing. “Power overwhelms older Ortiz. Couldn’t take Wilder’s best shots last time, won’t be able to do so now. BOOK IT!”