Saturday November 25th W.B.C. heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will run it back with #6 ranked Luis Ortiz from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Deontay Wilder vs Luis Ortiz II Boxing Odds have Wilder as the -625 favorite with Ortiz being offered at +465 with 50/50 boxing predictions from gamblers. Wilder, 41-0-1, 40 KO’s, had an epic battle with Ortiz, 31-1, 26 KO’s, 19 months ago in a fight Wilder was only up one point when he stopped Ortiz in the 10th. Ortiz had Wilder out on his feet before he ran out of gas and was stopped. Will the savvy 40-year old Ortiz figure out how to knock off the champion and cash betting tickets as a juicy underdog? ESPN2 News breaks down the particulars.
Deontay Wilder – Boxer
Strengths: Skyscraping 6’7″ bombardier with an airplane sized 83″ wingspan. Howitzer straight-right carries the force of a trash compactor. Feels like he can whip anyone in world as long as he can land. Left jab off the hip has a whipping effect that can frustrate and handcuff opponents. Tough as nails with a good chin. Well-conditioned athlete with above average endurance despite sparring modestly in training camp. Can fight decent inside despite elongated frame. Electric finisher that unloads the kitchen sink on a wounded foe.
Weaknesses: Thin framed and light at around 211-220 Lbs. Left-hook is well leveraged but less devastating than right. Can be hit and hit hard when opponents get inside his long arms. Loads up punches and can be outboxed with lateral movement. Ordinary coordination. Gets wild and careless. Vulnerable when hurt with the inability to tie up effectively.
Luis Ortiz – Boxer
Strengths: At 6’4″ 240 – 250 is a huge man with an airplane sized back that generates leverage. Left hand has the most thunder but right hook is not far behind. Fast hands for size with good accuracy and poise. Smart and slick southpaw that can frustrate opponents with a pesky jab, feints and angles. Ring general with loads of experience.
Weaknesses: Old. Listed at 40-years old but whispers have estimated his chronological clock is closer to 45. Like most Cuban professionals has questionable dedication outside the ring living in Miami, Fl and a short gas tank. Unlikely to have improved since his loss to Wilder.
ESPN2 News Boxing Predictions: Wilder via KO8
Luis Ortiz Tale-Of-The-Tape
Power: 8.5
Hand Speed/Accuracy: 7
Stamina: 6
Defense: 8.5
Chin/Resiliency: 8
Punch Volume: 6
Jab: 7
Agility/Balance: 6
Bodypunching/In-Fight: 7
Deontay Wilder Tale-Of-The-Tape
Power: 9.5
Hand Speed/Accuracy: 7
Stamina: 7.5
Defense: 7
Chin/Resiliency: 8
Punch Volume: 7
Jab: 8
Agility/Balance: 6
Bodypunching/In-Fight: 7
Intangibles
Height/Reach: Wilder +3
Strength/Size: Ortiz +1.5
Bodypunch Resiliency: –
Intelligence: Ortiz +1
Confidence/Focus/Will To Win: Wilder +3
Cuts/Injury: Wilder +1
Age/Inactivity: Wilder +3
Judges Scoring: Wilder +1
Trainer/Training Camp: –
ESPN2 News Odds: Wilder -500