Richard Schaefer praises Deontay Wilder’s drive to challenge himself in the ring.

There is no debate on who is the best heavyweight out there today if you ask Richard Schaefer. The Ringstar Sports promoter easily gives that status to WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. With the undefeated champion set take on Luis Ortiz later this fall, Scahefer sees the fight as evidence of Wilder’s ability to test himself.

Especially when there is unfinished business with another opponent.

“That’s playing with fire,” Schaefer told Fanatics View. “We all know there is a big potential fight on the horizon. With the rematch between Wilder and (Tyson) Fury. And to go and fight somebody as dangerous as Luis Ortiz, “King Kong” Ortiz; it’s playing with fire. Because we saw what happened in the first fight.”

Wilder (41-0-1. 40KOs) will meet Ortiz (31-1-1, 26KOs) for the second time as he makes the tenth defense of his title. They first fought in March 2018, in a close fight where both exchanged absolute bombs. It was in round seven, where “The Bronze Bomber” appeared to be in real danger.

After “King Kong” caught him with a hard left hook, Wilder was in survival mode and clinching onto Ortiz. Sensing the finish, Ortiz jumped on the attack with head and body shots. The referee began to watch closely with Wilder against the ropes. The round then came to an end, but Wilder’s legs appeared to have given out.

The WBC champion went on to put Ortiz out in the tenth round and retained his title. Wilder aims to meet Tyson Fury (29-0-1, 20KOs) in a rematch early in 2020, after their classic fight ended in a draw last December. He’ll have to go through Ortiz again before any future discussions however, a move that Schaefer tells Fanatics View he sees as bold, but risky.

“You know what that shows you? The man got b—s,” said Schaefer. “And he is the true heavyweight champion of the world. Because only a true heavyweight champion of the world goes and challenges himself, fight after fight against the best. And that’s what Deontay Wilder is.”