Wilder, Luis Ortiz rematch officially set for November 23

Deontay Wilder, undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) champion, will defend his heavyweight title against Luiz Ortiz at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on November 23.

The bout, announced on Saturday, will see ‘The Bronze Bomber’ attempt to deliver another knockout win against Cuba’s Ortiz in a rematch of their 2018 Brooklyn encounter.

Wilder, 33, won the first encounter by a 10th round technical knockout (TKO) after surviving a seventh round scare from Ortiz.

He also announced the fight on his social media handle with a video clip of him taking down the Cuban in their first bout.

November 23rd. #WilderOrtizII #PBConFOX pic.twitter.com/5SNd9je2vG

— Deontay Wilder (@BronzeBomber) September 28, 2019

Wilder, who has won 41 bouts (40 KOs) and a draw against Tyson Fury before his brutal first round knockout of Dominic Breazeale in May, will be meeting a reborn Ortiz who has won all three fights since the only blemish on his 32-fight career (31-1).

The knockout specialist had earlier hinted of the rematch.

He had spoken to BBC Sport in August, declaring he would go after Fury afterwards. Thereafter, he would seek a unification bout with the winner of Anthony Joshua vs Ruiz Jr rematch.

“Ortiz is definitely happening,” he had said.

“I am looking forward to fighting him. After I Knock him out, I will go for Fury, knock him out and then we will go for a unification.”

Tyson Fury is yet to pick his next opponent, while the Joshua vs Ruiz Jr rematch is slated for Saudi Arabia on December 7.