Deontay Wilder says he will fight Dillian Whyte, if he beats his potential next opponent Luis Ortiz
The Brit may face off with the Cuban on December 22 in London and Wilder said anyone who steps into the ring with the Cuban and emerges victorious has his respect
Deontay Wilder has thrown down the gauntlet to Dillian Whyte, by reaffirming he’ll give him a world title shot if the Brit beats Luis Ortiz in December.
The WBC heavyweight world champion has previously made it clear he is under no obligation to face Whyte at any point in the near future, but has always stated he would do so if the 30-year-old first conquered Ortiz.
Now, that bout is appearing to be a possibility, with the Cuban having accepted Whyte’s challenge for a fight on December 22 in London.
"I'm a man of my word,” Wilder told after hearing the news.
“If he can get through Ortiz, then he's got me, no doubt... That's respectable.
“Anybody that fights Ortiz is gonna get respect from me."
It is well known that promoter Eddie Hearn is attempting to arrange a rematch between Whyte and Dereck Chisora for that date, however, if a deal cannot be struck due to the tense relationship between the two rivals, then he has confirmed Ortiz could get the call.
The 39-year-old southpaw has only lost once in his professional career, a tenth-round stoppage to Deontay Wilder – who he had in serious trouble earlier in the fight.
Ortiz then connected with the American after the bout as both fighters care for daughters with health problems.
As a result, Wilder is now campaigning for Ortiz to get another big opportunity and has issued Whyte with a simple challenge: Beat him and you’ve got me.
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Wilder, meanwhile, is putting his belt on the line on 1 December when he takes on Tyson Fury in Los Angeles.
But the hard hitting American could still step into the ring with Anthony Joshua, according to Hearn, who told talkSPORT talks between the two camps are progressing.
“My job is to deliver for my client and my client wants to fight Deontay Wilder," he said of the possible heavyweight unification match.
"It is the only fight he wants next and my job is to make it happen.
"If I don’t, I have failed. I have failed the fight fans, I have failed myself and I have failed Anthony Joshua. And I don’t expect to do that.”