Deontay Wilder vs. Luis Ortiz targeted for November 4th

The WBC’s battle with Bermane Stiverne not withstanding, it looks like the sanctioning body is going forward with its plan to pit heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder against Luis Ortiz later this year. Head honcho Mauricio Sulaiman told The Ring today that he hopes to have the Stiverne matter sorted out within ten days, after which they can go ahead with a November 4th title fight.

Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KO) became the WBC interim champion when Alexander Povetkin failed a drug test just before their planned fight. Notwithstanding the fact that Stiverne ALSO failed a drug test and has only beaten Derric Rossy since getting dominated by Wilder (38-0, 37 KO) 19 months ago, he’s been refusing to step aside despite there being zero interest in a rematch.

He also refused to face Ortiz (27-0, 23 KO) in an eliminator earlier this year.

This is one of those times where I’ll happily watch the “mandatory” get brushed aside Ortiz is closing in on 40 and spent 2016 destroying low-to-mid-level competition. Wilder vs. Ortiz would be an excellent fight. Wilder vs. Stiverne II sucks.