The Heavyweight division is about to go through a seismic shift this month, and it begins with the appetiser that is Deontay Wilder versus Luis Ortiz.
The undefeated heavyweight WBC champion was due to face the 38-year-old Cuban last November, but the bout was scrapped due to a failed drugs test by the challenger, the second of his career.
After a lenient suspension and nominal fine, Ortiz is back in the ring, and the bout is now going ahead, final pre-fight drugs’ tests pending.
Whilst both men are putting their 0s on the line here, Wilder’s is far more impressive than his opponent’s.
Ortiz only went pro at 31 and has taken 28 scalps in those eight years, yet to face a calibre opponent akin to the Bronze Bomber.
Wilder meanwhile has 39 victories in his nine years as a professional and is still only 32-years-young. Beating high-quality fighters like Eric Molina, and Audley Harrison already in his blossoming career.
The pair faced off for their weigh-ins on Friday night and the contrast was stark. Ortiz one of the smaller, bloated heavyweights. Wilder in the Joshua mould, tall, lean, huge arms.
Whilst there has been plenty of trash talk in the build-up to the fight, the weigh-in remained a timid affair; that is until after the photos were finished.
Wilder quickly shifted from his relaxed smile, to let out an almighty war cry that scared the living daylights out of the unfortunate Corona girl stood next to him.
She took it in good spirits though, breaking from her porcelain expression that she is required to hold, and laughing in the direction of the Alabama fighter.
It did little to affect his opponent though.
Ortiz attempted to do his King Kong chest bashing, in reference to his ring moniker but failed to seem quite as threatening, looking more like he was rubbing some suncream on himself rather than about to enter a battle.
The two will enter the ring Saturday night, with whoever emerges victorious likely to be the next opponent of one Anthony Joshua.
Should he defeat Parker later this month of course.