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Deontay Wilder delivered under immense pressure when he knocked Luis Ortiz out in their rematch.

With a deal already done for the American to fight Tyson Fury for the second time in February 2020, he first had to get through the Cuban in November 2019.

Wilder KO'd Ortiz in stunning fashion
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Wilder KO'd Ortiz in stunning fashionCredit: Sean Michael Ham/Mayweather

Two months prior, Fury had emerged victorious by the skin of his teeth as he beat Otto Wallin on points despite suffering a huge cut.

At one point in that fight it looked as though it may have to be stopped due to the bleeding.

If this would have happened, Wallin would have been victorious and scuppered the Fury vs Wilder rematch.

In the end though, the Gypsy King was able to fight on and win on points.

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Focus then switched to Wilder's rematch with Ortiz.

When they first met in March 2018, the American was given the toughest test of his career up to that point.

Ortiz hurt Wilder and looked to be on the verge of stopping him before the champion produced a remarkable comeback to win by knockout.

Because it was so dramatic, the pair fought again.

Ortiz had won every round until being KO'd
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Ortiz had won every round until being KO'dCredit: Getty Images - Getty
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Wilder knew he had to win to secure the Fury rematch and that pressure looked to be taking a toll on him in the early stages.

Ortiz's elusive Cuban boxing style proved tricky to deal with and the challenger banked several rounds over the champion.

As they reached the halfway point, many observers thought that Ortiz had won all six so far.

Despite this, Wilder never lost hope and his pre-fight statement proved true.

He'd told Ortiz: "You have to be perfect for 36 minutes, I only have to be perfect for two seconds."

In truth, it took less than two seconds as Wilder flattened Ortiz in a flash.

A huge right hand left him crumpled on the canvas and unable to continue as the referee waved off the fight.

Now, Wilder finds himself in a similar position with a deal reportedly agreed for him to fight Anthony Joshua in March.

He must beat Joseph Parker and AJ must beat Wallin on Saturday night in order to confirm the showdown.

Wilder will be hoping for another statement knockout to seal the deal.

talkSPORT will bring you live radio commentary as Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder face a 'Day of Reckoning' in an historic boxing show in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.

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