Boxing: Deontay Wilder defeats Luis Ortiz in 10th round knock-out to defend WBC heavyweight title

Deontay Wilder was out on his feet. Forget defending his WBC heavyweight title, Wilder was lucky to find his corner when the seventh round concluded.

About 10 minutes later, he was strutting around the Barclays Center ring, his belt secure, but his reputation as being untouchable severely tarnished.

Wilder survived a pummeling from Luis Ortiz, then knocked out the challenger in the 10th round Saturday night to retain his crown. Befitting the undefeated champion from Alabama, it was a wild affair for the final few rounds after a dull series of pawing and gesturing by Wilder gave Ortiz a solid lead.

''A true champion always finds a way to come back and that's what I did tonight,'' Wilder said. ''Luis Ortiz is definitely a crafty guy. He put up a great fight. We knew we had to wear him down. I showed everyone I can take a punch.''

Well, yeah - Wilder certainly took his share of them. Even after Wilder knocked down Ortiz in the fifth round, the bout remained in the Cuban's favor.

Then, in the seventh, Wilder was dazed and confused by Ortiz's assault. Though he never hit the canvas, he stumbled to his corner when that round ended. The end seemed near.

''I almost had him and I think I would've if there were a few more seconds in the round,'' Ortiz said. ''Wilder was definitely saved by the bell. I thought I had him out on his feet. But you have to give him credit, he weathered the storm.''

''I wondered why it took so long for him to get a title shot and now we know.''

What boxing doesn't know is how this performance will affect the division. Wilder's sights have been set on Anthony Joshua, who defends his WBA and IBF crowns at the end of the month against WBO champ Joseph Parker.

If nothing else, Wilder's ring reputation took a hit, although his toughness and ability to take a punch can't be questioned.

''I'm ready right now,'' Wilder said. ''I always said that I want to unify. I'm ready whenever those guys are. I am the baddest man on the planet and I proved that tonight. This solidified my position at the top of the food chain tonight.''