Deontay Wilder calls them tactics. Luis Ortiz calls them antics.
Whatever they are, Ortiz promises to be ready for them in their heavyweight-title rematch Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“I think that some of the things that Wilder did and the antics that Wilder does could be dealt with differently this time around,’’ Ortiz said through a translator in a recent conference call to promote the sequel to his 10th-round knockout loss to Wilder in March of last year. “…You absolutely never know what Wilder is going to do as far as how he approaches his fights.
“But one thing for sure is that, both mentally and physically, I’m at my best and prepared. So he can bring whatever he is going to bring. No problem.’’
Ortiz (31-1, 26 knockouts) was educated in the Cuban school of classic boxing skill. Wilder (41-0-1, 40 KOs) is all about power. His right hand is today’s most dangerous punch. In terms of history, his right is a classic finisher, an emphatic end to 40 of his 42 fights. It can land from anywhere and at any time, often a sudden strike out of a storm of chaos.
Call it Classic vs. Chaos.
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Trainer Herman Caicedo believes Ortiz’s fundamental skill set can dictate pace and be the difference in the rematch if he can sustain what he does throughout 12 rounds.
“I think the best thing that was going our way was him boxing – getting behind a good jab, and just beating him to the punch and not allowing Wilder to just get crazy with his antics and come out swinging, wailing away,’’ Caicedo said of the first fight, in which Wilder was in deep trouble in a memorable seventh round.
The difference this time, Caicedo said, rests in being “a little bit better on the technical side and on the basics’’ throughout the fight.
“But, again,” Caicedo added, “like Luis just said, it’s very difficult with (Wilder) sometimes, because he’ll spin around and hit you with a back fist. So it’s like you never know what could happen.’’
Ortiz’s conditioning might be a key. He got tired in the first fight, especially in the 10th when Wilder’s predatory power finished his fatigued opponent.
Caicedo is confident that a better-conditioned Ortiz will finish Ortiz.
“He has dedicated 12 weeks in Las Vegas to a camp, and he has really given everything that he obviously couldn’t the first time around,’’ Ortiz’s trainer said. “So, at the end of the day, it’s 1000 percent he will be there. He is a much superior boxer, fighter, thinker and has the experience.
“Wilder has the experience over (nine) defenses but Luis has experience over a history of fighting since he was 10 years old. So that’s going to make all the difference when it comes down to all things being equal in condition.’’