A heavyweight unification super fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder is becoming increasingly more likely after Wilder retained his WBC belt with victory over Luis Ortiz.
The 32 year old extended his career stats to 40 fights unbeaten, with 39 of those victories coming via knockout.
Wilder had already knocked his opponent down twice before he finally ended the fight in the 10th round in New York. He was briefly rocked by a seventh round uppercut, but won the fight with room to spare in the end.
After the fight he expressed his desire to unify the heavyweight division by fighting Anthony Joshua or WBO title holder, New Zealand's Joseph Parker. Parker and Joshua meet in Cardiff on 31 March.
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Wilder said: "I want to unify. I am ready whenever those guys are.
"I figured out a way to come back. A true champion always finds a way. That's what I did tonight,"
This win means that Wilder has successfully defended his WBC belt on seven occasions, and would like to get his hands on the other three.
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Joshua currently holds the IBF and WBA crowns after taking them from Wladimir Klitschko.
Ahead of this month's fight between Parker and Joshua, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has talked up the possibility of a huge unification bout.
Hearn told BBC Radio 5 live: "It's the biggest fight in world boxing,
"He has the biggest test of his career against Parker but if he wins it Anthony wants to fight Wilder.
"He thinks he can beat him and Wilder is beatable, but Wilder is also very dangerous.
"Both Wilder and Joshua are electric to watch, both punch very hard and both have shown signs of vulnerability.
"You have to give the fans what they want, otherwise over time they lose interest. I think it will happen 2018. I don't think there is any holding AJ back."
Wilder has caused controversy in the aftermath of his fight by suggesting that Matchroom promotions owner Hearn is 'another white man milking a black man'.
The fighter, nicknamed 'The Bronze Bomber' has attracted criticism for his comments from others in the business. WBO world middleweight champ Billy Joe Saunders said: "He is a racist c**t I think, I personally think he is.
"Questions about promoters using fighters, he's got a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
"When I read them, I thought you can't be saying that. I've got mates from all different nationalities and you can't come out and say that. It's unprofessional."
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