At this point, it's the only question worth asking: Who will win Saturday night's fight between heavyweight world titlist Deontay Wilder and challenger Luis Ortiz? Our experts make their picks.
Dan Rafael
ESPN.com
Wilder by KO
On paper it's as even a heavyweight title fight as I've seen in a long time, but I'll go with the younger, more active, more athletic fighter who hasn't failed two drug tests and take Wilder by knockout in about eight rounds.
Steve Bunce
ESPN UK
Wilder by decision/Late KO
Ortiz is finally in shape, Wilder finally has a risky fight and that means it will be exciting. Wilder is too fresh and that will be the factor. Wilder wide on points or in a late stoppage.
Nick Parkinson
ESPN UK
Wilder by TKO7
Lack of action -- two rounds in 15 months -- and age -- some say he is older than his official 38 years old -- suggest Ortiz may struggle with Wilder's athleticism and volume of punches. Wilder is looking sharp, so expect him to overwhelm the Cuban in the middle rounds.
Teddy Atlas
ESPN TV
Wilder by KO8
Ortiz is the best fighter Wilder has faced and it has been a dreadful list of opponents. Problem is, Ortiz is strictly a counterpuncher and with the length of Wilder's jab, a guy who doesn't attack has very little chance. Being a southpaw won't help either.
Nigel Collins
ESPN.com
Wilder by decision
If Ortiz can get inside of Wilder's reach, he can do some damage. But I believe Wilder will fight the same way he did in the first Bermane Stiverne fight -- use his reach to jab from the outside and drop in a right hand now and then.
Mark Kriegel
ESPN TV
Wilder by TKO11
I've never understood the presumptions against Wilder. Everybody wants an American heavyweight champ until, well, he arrives. Then, the hating. Or worse, in Wilder's case, the ignoring. Here's a guy who's lost two years -- what should be the very prime of his career -- to drug cheats. That alone makes him worth rooting for. Still, it's not my heart that's picking him, but my head. Ortiz's best chance is for Wilder to make an anxious mistake early. Other than that, Wilder is younger, more athletic and more powerful.
Eric Raskin
HBO Boxing
Wilder by decision
After 39 fights and 38 KOs, I'm still not convinced that Wilder is any good. But I suspect the timing might be right for him to be just good enough to beat Ortiz. The Cuban is 38 years old (at least), hasn't been active, and may or may not be off performance-enhancing substances he may or may not have been on in the past. I could certainly see Ortiz smashing Wilder -- which would have been my prediction a year or two ago -- but my gut is telling me Ortiz has trouble catching up to him and Wilder has the pop to discourage Ortiz from letting his hands ago. Flying in the face of every dubious thing I've thought/said/written about him over the years, I'm picking Wilder by close decision in a clumsy fight.
Salvador Rodriguez
ESPNdeportes.com
Wilder by KO
Wilder will beat Ortiz, probably by KO toward the final part of the fight. Technically, Ortiz is better than Wilder, but too slow. Maybe we could even see Wilder down, but he will recover to earn the victory.
Joe Cortez
ESPN Deportes
Wilder by KO
Wilder says he will destroy Ortiz with no problem. Wilder is looking forward to fighting Anthony Joshua to unify heavyweight titles later this year, but he has to focus on Ortiz since the Cuban is also undefeated and he is not that easy to put away. I predict that Wilder will stop Ortiz in the late rounds.
Claudia Trejos
ESPNdeportes.com
Wilder by decision
Ortiz has great boxing skills; he is a southpaw with good hand speed, who can walk the ring, packs serious punching power and can also take a punch, tools that make "King Kong" a very dangerous opponent. But we cannot forget: He is 38 years old and his experience against good opposition is limited. The Cuban's biggest challenge will be Wilder's athletic ability and youth and "The Bronze Bomber" will use those abilities to control the contest and take the win.
Bernardo Pilatti
ESPNdeportes.com
Wilder by KO
Wilder is younger, stronger and faster. Ortiz is more technical, but he is slow. If Wilder is not neglected, he must win by KO no further than the eighth round.
Charles Moynihan
ESPN Bureau Producer
Wilder by TKO10
Wilder has his eyes on a bigger prize -- Anthony Joshua. Wilder will let nothing stand in his way, including Ortiz. Ortiz's career has had a lot of starts and stops, including failed drug tests and promoter issues. Which begs the question, is he fully devoted to his craft and to what extent have the external controversies impacted him inside the ring? I'll take the dedicated, motivated fighter.