Deontay Wilder made a huge statement on Saturday night in Las Vegas.Behind on every judges' scorecard - and deservedly so - to the fearsome Cuban Luis Ortiz, Wilder retained his WBC heavyweight title in the most astonishing fashion.In the first fight between the pair in March 2018, round seven saw Ortiz almost take out the 'Bronze Bomber' as he stumbled around the ring inside the Barclays Center, before Wilder recovered to finish his opponent in the 10th round.The seventh round would prove pivotal again in the rematch, as out of nowhere, Wilder dropped 'King Kong' with a strong right hand which the referee felt Ortiz didn't recover from inside the 10-count.

It's fair to say that pundits weren't at all impressed with Wilder's all-round performance, and he's shown in recent years that he can't keep up with the likes of Ortiz and Tyson Fury when it comes to all-round boxing IQ.

However what he lacks in that he makes up for in pure knockout power, and his latest KO was just another to add to the already lengthy highlight reel.

If boxers were ranked on their all-round fighting skill, then arguably Wilder may not be in the top five CURRENT fighters.

But the ex-wife of maybe the greatest legend to step foot inside a boxing ring in Muhammad Ali has incredibly declared Wilder as the 'greatest of all time'.

Post-fight footage shows Khalilah Ali talking to Wilder, and she says: You are definitely the King of the Ring, you don’t have to prove anything, just do your thing.

“I told him, I said ‘look at that brother, you’re in trouble’. I knew it.

“I know the greatest when I see it. You are the GOAT [greatest of all time] brother. Thank you so much.”

It's an astonishing admission and perhaps a great compliment to Wilder's talents, but there's a number of boxers, from the past and present, who would disagree with that statement.

And one man looking to disprove that will be Tyson Fury when they meet once again on February 22 next year.