With making history on his mind, Deontay Wilder has a lot to prove against Luis Ortiz

Throughout the years, the world’s greatest athletes have graced our TV sets. Several of them have come from the boxing world. Athletes like Mike Tyson, Miguel Cotto, Gennady Golovkin and Floyd Mayweather come to mind. As the sport looks to evolve in an ever-changing world, one athlete thrives to being called the best there is. Deontay Wilder is that man, and he looks to prove it in a heavyweight showdown against Luis Ortiz on tonight, March 3, inside the Barclays Center.

The current WBC Heavyweight Champion, Wilder (39-0) will be defending his title for the seventh time against the 38-year old Cuban. Ortiz (28-0, 2 NC) is smaller than Wilder, but he packs a mighty punch. Of his 28 wins, 24 have come via knockout. That is not to discredit Wilder’s 38 wins via KO however.

This fight means more than just a win to Wilder. It’s a way to become a true superstar in the boxing world.

Coming into the fight, Wilder’s reign has been seen to many as underwhelming. No true challenger has made him sweat. A fight against Ortiz could change all of that. This could be his first true challenge. Nothing is guaranteed in this sport, and Wilder knows that. Working as hard as he can, he knows he must be on top of his game to keep an eye on the real prize. A potential superfight between Wilder and Unified World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua would most likely be next with a win over Ortiz. Speaking to the media during his workout before the fight, Wilder attempted to get talks started for that fight. Whatever happens against Ortiz, Wilder know’s he can smell a Joshua fight.

“I mean what I say, I mean what I feel and I’m ready for whoever. Anthony Joshua will barely even mention my name. Well, I’m here and I’m ready for him. I don’t want anybody to change their prediction about me versus Joshua after what they see on Saturday night. I’m going to keep proving people wrong just like I’ve always done. I love proving people wrong.

It may seem like all fun and games, but in order to get what he wants, Wilder must stay focused on Ortiz. During the final press conference, Wilder stared through Ortiz’s soul, and the challenger gave it right back to him. Here is what everyone isn’t saying: Deontay Wilder should be wary of facing Luis Ortiz. While he hasn’t sustained much damage in his 39 fights, Wilder is reaching the apex of his career. Distractions will not help, especially against a monster like Ortiz.

There will be no cameras filming WAGS Atlanta at the Barclays Center. This is not an act to Wilder, this is his life. He must fight like it’s on the line here, because his legacy is.

On Saturday, March 3, a 32-year old from Alabama steps into the ring to face his greatest challenge yet. If his fight game backs up his words, Brooklyn and the entire world will be enamored over the name Deontay Wilder.

“When I think about Luis Ortiz, I see threes. It’s a magical number. I see a third round knockout. I’ve done what I’ve said so far, and I haven’t let anybody down. I will knock him out and then I will unify the division. I’m on a mission. There will be one champion, one face and one name. Deontay Wilder.”

Wilder v. Ortiz begins at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.com and the Barclays Center box office.