Wilder-Ortiz rematch in jeopardy after Ortiz chokes on a hard candy

The hotly anticipated rematch between WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz is in jeopardy after Ortiz fell asleep while eating a hard candy and almost choked to death, it has emerged.

The pair were due to face off again at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in a rematch of their enthralling encounter back in 2018, which Wilder won by TKO in the 10th round, but the aged warrior's penchant for sucking on sweets has potentially jeopardised the biggest fight of his life.

The Cuban contender reportedly took an impromptu nap while enjoying a nice hard candy he found in his pocket, a favourite of the elderly generation, and woke up in a choking fit that landed him in the intensive care unit at the Desert Springs Hospital near the MGM Grand.

Ortiz' camp has urged the aged fighter to stay away from such delectable treats at his advanced age, particularly during training camp, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears, it would seem.

Doctors at the scene have confirmed Ortiz is awake and playing some backgammon with his coach beside his hospital bed to lift his spirits and get him ready in time for the fight.

More on this story as it develops.

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