Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua looked to be on a collision course for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.
But in one fell swoop, the plans got momentarily laid to rest on June 1 when Andy Ruiz Jr. stopped Joshua to win the IBF, WBA (Super), and the WBO heavyweight titles at Madison Square Garden. Before Ruiz and Joshua meet again on Dec. 7 on DAZN, Wilder will step back into the ring for a rematch of his own as he defends the WBC belt against Luis Ortiz.
How does Wilder (41-0-1, 40 KOs) avoid the same pitfall as his rival and not suffer the first defeat of his career? To the 34-year-old, it's all mental.
"Me and Anthony Joshua, we have different mindsets," Wilder told DAZN News as part of a conference call Tuesday. "My mindset is very strong and way stronger than his. I spoke about this before. Joshua, I don’t think … he caused this on himself. He knew he was going to lose one day. He even spoke it. He spoke it to the universe. When it was time to happen, he gave his belts over to Ruiz. He literally transported his belts to this man.
"For me, my mindset is different. I’m in a totally different kingdom," Wilder continued. "A totally different beast. I’m the best in the world, and I prove it each and every time I go in the ring."
In March 2018, Wilder and Ortiz put on one of the most exciting fights of the year. Ortiz controlled the early rounds, and then Wilder changed the complexion of the bout in the blink of an eye, knocking Ortiz down in the fifth round. The Cuban came back and nearly finished the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist when a left hand wobbled him, and Ortiz went on a full-blown assault with one vicious punch after another. Wilder survived the onslaught and finished Ortiz in the 10th round, dropping him two times to win by TKO.
What happened in the first fight can happen again to Wilder. He understands it's boxing and adjustments can be made as the bout goes on. But when it comes right to it, the result will be the same in the eyes of the "Bronze Bomber."
"I’m not worried about going in there and making any mistakes," Wilder exclaimed. "If I do make any mistakes in the ring, I will correct it as the fight goes on. I don’t see this fight going any other way than Deontay Wilder knocking out Luis Ortiz. He knows it, and I know it. When we went into the ring the first time, and he hit me with everything and the kitchen sink. He usually hits opponents with it, and they go down. I’m a different beast. I’ve been saying I got a lot of things I got to do. I’m fighting for one champion, one face, one name, and there’s nobody getting in the way of that. Nobody."