Deontay Wilder's quest to become undisputed heavyweight boxing champion seems to be on hold, with the American confirming his next fight against Cuban Luis Ortiz.
'The Bronze Bomber' will square off with Ortiz in a rematch of their 2018 classic that Wilder won via 10th-round stoppage.
"To all my fans, I want to announce that Luis Ortiz and I have signed for a rematch," Wilder tweeted.
"With the date and site to be announced shortly. All my controversial fights must get dealt with ASAP."
The news has cooled talk of a potential unifying showdown with WBO, IBF and WBA champion Anthony Joshua, as the Brit reportedly pursues a blockbuster bout with compatriot Tyson Fury in December, according to the Irish Mirror.
Wilder is two weeks removed from a devastating knockout win over Dominic Breazeale in Brooklyn, where the WBC champion floored his fellow American in the opening round.
Ortiz was ringside at the Barclays Centre, telling media he wanted his rematch with Wilder.
In 2018, the two engaged in a fight-of-the-year candidate, when Ortiz repeatedly rocked the power-punching champion, before Wilder turned the fight on its head with a vicious late knockout.
The murky waters of the heavyweight division should clear in the coming weeks, pending the outcome of Joshua's defence of his titles against Andy Ruiz on Sunday (NZT).
Meanwhile, Fury steps back in the ring in June to fight undefeated German Tom Schwarz, while fellow contender Dillian Whyte fights Chilean prospect Oscar Rivas in July.
Newshub understands that Kiwi Joseph Parker's future will also be announced this coming weekend in New York.
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