Deontay Wilder to fight Luis Ortiz in March

The American, a long-term target of IBF and WBA champion Anthony Joshua, has, in Ortiz, accepted what is widely considered his greatest test yet.

He will be making the sixth defence of his title having in November stopped Bermane Stiverne when a match-up with Ortiz was cancelled after the Cuban, 38, tested positive for banned substances in a drugs test.

Banned diuretics chlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide were detected, but he avoided a ban when the WBC found he took them for high blood pressure and fined him £18,497 for failing to disclose he had taken them.

Wilder, 32, was then present when Ortiz stopped the lightly-regarded Daniel Martz in December, and that night told him: "I've been wanting you. You messed this up. I blessed you with the opportunity and you messed it up."