It’s official: Luis Ortiz will make a quick return from his recent, dull 12-round win over Malik Scott and face British heavyweight David Allen on the big Joshua-Molina bill in Manchester on December 10. The fight was announced today and both fighters are delighted.
Unbeaten Cuban Ortiz expects to be able put on a far more fan-friendly fight against Allen, 9-1(6), who has promised he will “come to fight.” Allen reportedly asked promoter Eddie Hearn for this particular fight quite some time ago, convinced as he is that he can defeat the southpaw known as “King Kong.”
24-year-old Allen, most well known for his July fight with current British heavyweight champ Dillian Whyte, when “The White Rhino” was soundly outpointed over ten rounds, spoke with Sky Sports and he promised he would do his part to make a “great fight” against Ortiz, 26-0(22).
“I don’t think he’s what he’s hyped up to be, but I will give him more opportunity than Malik Scott to show he is the real deal,” Allen said of Ortiz. “ I’ll stand in front of him and see what he’s about. I’ll stand and trade because I can’t do anything else. You can expect a fight, that’s for definite.”
Allen, 9-1-1(6) promised he will “not run away” and he assures us Ortiz “will not blow me away.” This fight – one that may turn out to be surprisingly exciting – is another heavyweight addition to a card that now boasts three intriguing heavyweight match-ups. The main event, between Joshua and Molina is expected to be a whole lot of fun for however long it lasts, while the genuine grudge-match that is Dillian Whyte-Dereck Chisora has “can’t miss” written all over it.
If Ortiz-Allen proves to be value for money as well, Hearn will not be haring from any disgruntled fans moaning that the Manchester card was not worthy of being on pay-per-view! With a world title fight also on the card, the Dec 10 bill can certainly be called a stacked one.