clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Wilder-Ortiz set for March 3

Deontay Wilder will be defending his title against Luis Ortiz after all.

Deontay Wilder v Bermane Stiverne Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

It looks like it's a done deal. Sources close to negotiations have told RingTV that Deontay Wilder has come to terms with Luis Ortiz to defend his WBC heavyweight title on a March 3rd Showtime card at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.

If the headline sounds vaguely familiar, it's because Wilder had previously been scheduled to take on Ortiz back in November, but a failed drug test from Ortiz would force that fight to be canceled as the fight neared. Ortiz asserted the banned substances he tested positive for were only to treat his hypertension, and the WBC eventually dropped the issue, clearing him to be reinstated.

Ortiz was once thought to be a serious threat to Wilder's title reign, but at age 38 many wonder if he's too long in the tooth to really make a run at the top of the division. Ortiz can punch, though, and it's not like Wilder's resume is all that deep — so Ortiz still might prove to be his toughest test to date.

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Bad Left Hook Daily Roundup newsletter!

A daily roundup of all your global boxing news from Bad Left Hook