WBC champion Deontay Wilder vows to knock out Luis Ortiz then unify heavyweight division

Deontay Wilder says victory over Luis Ortiz will be the first step to him unifying the heavyweight division.

WBC champion Wilder (38-0-37KO) takes on Ortiz (27-0-23KO), who is the WBA's mandatory challenger to Super champion Anthony Joshua, in Brooklyn's Barclays Center on November 4.

The winner will be in pole position to face the winner of Joshua's bout with Kubrat Pulev on October 28, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and the hard-hitting Wilder is promising another knockout against his unbeaten opponent.

"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time and I'm excited that the time has come to meet Luis Ortiz,'' said Wilder.

I will unify the division. This I promise. This is the first step towards unifying.

"Ortiz is considered the boogeyman of the sport and I am the hardest hitter in boxing. When you put us together in a ring, you will get one of the best heavyweight fights in a long time.

"I will unify the division. This I promise. This is the first step towards unifying. Any heavyweight that gets in my way is getting knocked out.''

Cuban Ortiz - nicknamed King Kong - is wary of Wilder's power but he is confident he can upset the brash American.

"Wilder has been doing a lot of talking about me and this fight," said Ortiz. "I'm tired of hearing it. I'm not that big on talking. I like to do all my talking in the ring and that's what I plan to do.

"I respect him. I know he hits hard, but I hit hard too. It's going to be a great fight. I can't wait to get in the ring and shut him up in front of everybody on November 4.''