Wilder battles Ortiz in title bout, eyes Joshua

NEW YORK — Deontay Wilder has big plans. They don't particularly include Luis Ortiz, against whom Wilder defends his WBC heavyweight title on today.

Wilder is looking at a matchup with fellow champion Anthony Joshua — as soon as possible.

That's not necessarily a wise move, looking beyond an opponent. Wilder shrugs and lets out a hefty laugh.

"There's no factor that will be difficult," Wilder says of the matchup on Showtime at Barclays Center. "He does some good things as boxing fundamental skills. All Cuban boxers have it, they teach that. They put their combinations together well.

"Ortiz has got nothing, but maybe it goes three rounds. No, maybe he has four good rounds in him. I am going to finish with him in devastating fashion, send a message to Joshua. Tell Joshua he got to do what he got to do, but he should be worried about me."

Wilder's last defense was a joke. Ortiz dropped out of the bout when he tested positive for performance enhancers, and Bermane Stiverne stepped in. That lasted less than a round.

The fact Wilder even had to bother with the outof-shape Stiverne was an annoyance to the Alabama star, who barely worked up a sweat in improving to 39-0 with 38 knockouts; Stiverne in 2015 went the distance.

"He broke my heart the first time when my manager called me and told me about (Ortiz) failing a drug test, failing for PEDS for a second time," Wilder says. "I was so hyped and prepared for that fight and when I heard that, my heart dropped.

"He's a second-time user, I hate to bring it up, but it's fact . ... I am 39-0 and it would be easy to pass. He's blessed with this opportunity, he should be kissing my feet."