GreenLightning wrote: ↑24 Nov 2019, 07:09hopefully that's the last we see of the geriatric Cuban, decent hands, awful footwork
He was getting his lead foot on Wilder's inside at will in the early rounds, it was only the threat of walking onto Wilder's lead right that stopped him applying more pressure. So he tried backing Wilder up to the ropes to shorten that right hand, taking some of its sting away, while bringing himself into his best range. This is a main component of trying to beat Wilder.
For my money, Wilder overrated the risk a bit in open play when distance frequently favoured him, electing to paw with his jab when stood at optimal range to nail it and double up. Conserving energy sometimes, sure, but the way he was letting his elbow swing out — as if undecided between jab and hook — made me wonder if he had a minor injury. His left to the body, landed a couple of times, was really nice; his only eyecatching thing until the finish, really.
But then Ortiz made the same mistake again: he couldn't stop himself from chasing a buzzed Wilder towards the centre. ‘Ortiz could have this’, I was thinking as Wilder found himself in the corner momentarily, ‘but only if he's really careful not to rush it and lets it unfold slowly’. He didn't need to be chasing the KO when he was that far ahead!
Because Wilder relies on athleticism, I am beginning to wonder if he'll decline faster than his peers. He seemed particularly flat this time, even though he was obviously not wasting energy on purpose. Fury was able to get up after a left hook from a tired, off-balance Wilder, a shot I think that Ruiz could also get up from. I'd fancy Ruiz to beat Wilder right now. Unless he underrated Wilder's power in comparison to AJ's, which is possible.
Beautiful finisher, in summary, but the worst I've seen Wilder in a long time, neglecting fundamentals that would've lost him the fight if Ortiz hadn't started feeling himself as a result.
