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DEONTAY WILDER paved the way for a megafight with Anthony Joshua with a brutal stoppage of Luis Ortiz in New York.

But the Bronze Bomber did not have it all his own way in a rollercoaster clash against the previously undefeated Cuban.

 Deontay Wilder retained his WBC heavyweight title and targeted more
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Deontay Wilder retained his WBC heavyweight title and targeted moreCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Wilder, who had ended all but one of his previous 39 wins inside the distance, seemed to be sailing to another knockout win when he dropped Ortiz late in the fifth round.

But the challenger rallied during a huge seventh round and appeared to have his American opponent out on his feet when the bell went.

The tense clash then swung wildly once more in a mad 10th round which had Ortiz down and out with just 55 seconds left until the bell.

The final blow was a crippling uppercut which sent Ortiz down to his knees, giving referee David Fields no choice but to wave it off instantly.

 Deontay Wilder retained his WBC world title by dropping and stopping Luis Ortiz
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Deontay Wilder retained his WBC world title by dropping and stopping Luis OrtizCredit: AFP or licensors
 Deontay Wilder battered Luis Ortiz to the floor to retain his title
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Deontay Wilder battered Luis Ortiz to the floor to retain his titleCredit: AFP or licensors
 Deontay Wilder was just two fast and vicious for the Cuban veteran
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Deontay Wilder was just two fast and vicious for the Cuban veteranCredit: AFP or licensors
 The fight was scrappy and ugly at times but the Deontay Wilder finish was spectacular
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The fight was scrappy and ugly at times but the Deontay Wilder finish was spectacularCredit: AFP or licensors
 Luis Ortiz looked to be in control heading into the final rounds but Wilder went up a gear
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Luis Ortiz looked to be in control heading into the final rounds but Wilder went up a gearCredit: AFP or licensors

Now the WBC king, who has answered any remaining questions about the quality of his chin, can look forward to a potential fight for the ages against Joshua later this year.

The WBA and IBF champ from Watford has the chance to add the WBO crown to his collection when he faces undefeated New Zealander Joseph Parker in Cardiff later this month.


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 Deontay Wilder appeared hurt a handful of times but he battled back to stop Ortiz
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Deontay Wilder appeared hurt a handful of times but he battled back to stop OrtizCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Now it feels like only a matter of time before Wilder and Joshua tangle in a transatlantic tussle which could smash all previous revenue records.

The 32-year-old said: “I always said I want to unify all the titles. My goal is to unify.

“I am the most dangerous in the world, the baddest man on the planet. I proved that tonight.

“Soon there will be one champion, one face, one name – that will be Deontay Wilder.

“It's not about how big your muscles are – it's about the heart.”

 Luis Ortiz gave Deontay Wilder his biggest scare but the WBC king marches on
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Luis Ortiz gave Deontay Wilder his biggest scare but the WBC king marches onCredit: AFP or licensors
 All three judges had Deontay Wilder winning at the time of the KO
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All three judges had Deontay Wilder winning at the time of the KOCredit: AFP or licensors
 Deontay Wilder gave away early rounds but Luis Ortiz could not get the KO
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Deontay Wilder gave away early rounds but Luis Ortiz could not get the KOCredit: AFP or licensors

He had to prove every ounce of it during a testing clash, in which he had fallen clearly behind on the cards despite the fifth-round knockdown.

After being rapped to the ring by 42-year-old Lil Kim, Wilder was greeted warmly by the 14,069 crowd here at the Barclays.

But they might have been a touch nervous after a cagey first round which the challenger Ortiz nicked on the scorecards.

The undefeated southpaw touched down as early as the second round, but it was only a slip as he over-reached with a big left hand.

 WBC heavyweight champion of the world Deontay Wilder is headed to Cardiff
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WBC heavyweight champion of the world Deontay Wilder is headed to CardiffCredit: Getty Images - Getty

And the fans were booing by the third as the southpaw and orthodox fighters got caught in the classic tapfest rather than the explosive war they had been promised.

The fourth was a big round for Ortiz who was pushing Wilder back against the ropes and got through with a couple of stiff backhands.

Wilder was falling worryingly short with his jabs and did not look too interested in moving his head when under attack.

Ortiz seemed to be finding a rhythm, circling to his right, safely away from Wilder's rocket back hand.

But with just seconds left in the fifth, Wilder got through with a big right, which wobbled Ortiz, who was sent crashing to the canvas by a follow-up right hook.

 Deontay Wilder stood over the vanquished Luis Ortiz in New York
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Deontay Wilder stood over the vanquished Luis Ortiz in New YorkCredit: AFP or licensors
 Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz went to war in New York
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Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz went to war in New YorkCredit: AP:Associated Press

The champion, however, took his foot off the gas in the sixth despite the breakthrough and allowed the challenger to regroup once more.

And he very nearly paid the price in a crazy seventh round, as Ortiz appeared to have the big Alabaman out on his feet as he unloaded with a series of crushing power shots.

Wilder somehow stayed up to hear the bell but it seemed to be a huge turning point in the fight.

It was anything but.

Instead, the Tuscaloosa native did what he does best and rendered another man utterly unable to stand with a few wild and vicious blows.

Wilder added: "A true champion always finds a way to come back.

“Luis Ortiz is a crafty guy, the skills showed and he put up a great fight.

"I showed everyone I can take a punch.

"When he leaves tonight he can go with his head held up high.

"He hit me with flurries of punches but they didn't have any sting, they just knocked me off balance.

"I showed I am a true champion tonight.

"My grandmother told me a long time ago that I was anointed by God.”

The American picked up £1.5million for his role at the Barclays Center but he could comfortably pocket 10 times that amount by stepping in the ring with Joshua.

And he will jet into Cardiff later this month with everything crossed that the Londoner can do the business too.

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