Luis Ortiz: Usyk is Too Small, Anthony Joshua Should Fight Me! 48 48 comments
Luis Ortiz (32-2) is hoping to get a big fight in the near future.
The former world title challenger was last in the ring in November when he blew out an overmatched Alexander Flores in 1 round in a Premier Boxing Champions on Fox telecast.
Ortiz has been calling out all of the big names in the heavyweight division but has had difficulty getting any of the top fighters to face him. Even at 42-years-old, the Cuban has proven to be a difficult opponent.
“I have been trying to get in the ring with Dillian Whyte but he refused to fight me so I went to the (Andy) Ruiz versus (Chris) Arreola fight and again I got a no, because Ruiz said he would need another tune-up,” Ortiz told BoxingScene.com.
Luis Ortiz is willing to step in for Alexander Povetkin and face Dillian Whyte Photo Credit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME/Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Luis Ortiz would be willing to face Dillian Whyte and has accepted his challenge, according to the Cuban’s manager Jay Jimenez.
Whyte lost his mandatory position to WBC Heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury following a fifth round knockout defeat to Alexander Povetkin in August.
The Brit activated the immediate rematch clause, however the second fight scheduled for November 21 was postponed after the Russian tested positive for COVID-19.
A new date earmarked for January 30 has also been quashed with Povetkin still recovering and Whyte named Ortiz as a possible replacement last week for the 41-year-old in February.
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Rather than sit on the sidelines while rival Alexander Povetkin recovers from COVID, Dillian Whyte recently made clear his desire to stay busy, calling out a number of heavyweight contenders. One of them, former interim WBA champion Luis Ortiz, claims he’s game.
Manager Jay Jimenez tells Sky Sports:
“I guess Dillian was calling his name and other names, and he reached to me and asked me, ‘Look, if that’s true, I would like to step in the ring with him. That would be a great fight.’ I told him that I would find out. I think yeah, that would be a great fight. Luis Ortiz would love to take that fight. I say January, February [Ortiz could be ready].”
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Speaking on this week s
Ringside Toe 2 Toe podcast, Whyte said: Even now, Povetkin keeps delaying it, saying he s sick. I m like, Okay, that s fine, I want you to be at your best when I fight you . Have as much time as you want, let me fight Luis Ortiz in February, and then I ll fight you later in the year. 1:16 Whyte says Anthony Joshua produced a strange performance against Kubrat Pulev
Whyte had floored Povetkin twice before suffering a shock knockout in August and still plans to avenge that loss.
But Ortiz would be willing to travel to Britain for a clash between two rival contenders who are highly ranked by the WBC.