Dave Allen (Heavyweight contender and former Ortiz opponent)
I think if Ortiz couldn’t get the job done a few years ago, he won’t now. Age, I believe, has already caught up with him and he won’t be getting any better at this stage.
Mickey Helliet (Promoter, manager)
Wilder is a very clever puncher and will have improved for having bouts with Tyson Fury and Dominic Breazeale since his first fight with Ortiz. Ortiz looked old in their first fight so will probably have deteriorated since they previously met. He came very close to derailing Wilder last time, so he at least has a live puncher’s chance.
Dan Sarkozi (Super-welterweight prospect)
I see it being one-sided in Wilder’s favour. I think Wilder is improving all the time, would have learnt from the first bout and is approaching his peak, whereas I think the opposite is true for Ortiz. It reminds me of the Canelo vs. Golovkin 2 scenario.
Gary Logan (Former Southern Area champion, trainer)
I see a quicker finish this time for Deontay. So often winners of a titanic first tussle completely dominate in a return. Louis vs. Conn 2, Pryor vs. Arguello 2 and Saad Muhammad vs. Conteh 2 spring to mind. Ortiz is getting older and can’t go up the gears, whereas we know Wilder can. Wilder between rounds five and eight.
Reports, for what they’re worth, say that Ortiz has been able to prepare much better this time. However, I very much doubt if Ortiz will be allowed to win on points and so I can only see a Wilder win – I will put a few quid on Ortiz though just in case.