Wilder vs Ortiz: Deontay Wilder pledges to prove he is world’s best heavyweight against Luis Ortiz

Deontay Wilder pledged to prove he is the best heavyweight fighter in the world after he weighed in almost two stone lighter than Luis Ortiz for his WBC title defence in Brooklyn.

The 32-year-old American, who has re-iterated in the lead-up his desire to fight Anthony Joshua, will face the unbeaten Cuban southpaw for the seventh defence of his WBC belt in the early hours of Sunday morning, live on Sky Sports.

Wilder, who weighed in at 15st 4lbs 13oz, is expected to face the sternest test of his unbeaten career in his 40th fight but is adamant Ortiz will struggle to cope with his “killer instinct” at the Barclays Center.

Asked if he expects his most difficult fight, Wilder said: “We will see when we get in the ring. On paper he has looked good against the opposition he has fought against.

“[However] He has never faced a Bronze Bomber, he has never faced a guy who has got more killer instinct than him.

“He has never faced a guy that just really wants to rip his head off him and I really do want to put him down. I am the best and I am ready to show it come Saturday night that I am the best in the world.”

Ortiz, who will give up a height deficit when the pair meet, weighed in at 17st 3lbs 3oz, but Wilder is not daunted by coming in at his lightest weight since his pro debut in November 2008.

“Over and over again. All my [opponents] have outweighed me, so that is nothing – compared to where I have come from,” Wilder said.

“Nothing compared to where I am going, so come Saturday night you are all in for a treat. I can’t wait.”

Watch Deontay Wilder vs Luis Ortiz live from Brooklyn, New York, in the early hours of Sunday morning, on Sky Sports Main Event, from 2am.

(c) Sky News 2018: Wilder vs Ortiz: Deontay Wilder pledges to prove he is world’s best heavyweight against Luis Ortiz