Promoter Eddie Hearn has gone into more detail regarding his plans for unbeaten heavyweight Luis Ortiz, who he recently signed to his ever growing Matchroom stable, and as he explained to Sky Sports, Ortiz could fight IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua next year some time.
Hearn said that, assuming the Cuban southpaw gets past Malik Scott in Monaco next month in what will be Ortiz’ debut under the Matchroom banner, he will then box a TBA on the under-card of Joshua’s next fight (both exact date and opponent still to be confirmed, but likely for December) and then, next year, Ortiz will fight again in the US; again against TBA.
Hearn says he is not “mollycoddling” Joshua and that he will make the fight with Ortiz “if the reward is there to take the risk.”
“Luis Ortiz against Joshua could be a huge fight for 2017 and we have no problem in making that fight if it is the right move,” Hearn said. “People get the impression that AJ is mollycoddled, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Look at the [Charles] Martin fight everyone looks back and says it was an easy fight, but at the time they were saying it was a hard fight that was coming too early. If the reward is there to take the risk against Ortiz, who is very dangerous, and the fight is big enough, then yes, let’s do it.”
Hearn also said how he aims to get Ortiz in a position where he “can’t be ignored.” Ortiz, as fans know, has been avoided by the top heavyweights, but his future looks a lot more promising now. But who would win if Ortiz and Joshua fought next year? It would, as Hearn said, be a dangerous fight for Joshua, who has never faced any pro as powerful, experienced and awkward as Ortiz, and has not yet been extended beyond the 7th-round.
Ortiz would likely test both Joshua’s chin and his stamina if he fights him next year. But there are other big fights out there for “King Kong,” and if ever an active fighter deserved a title shot, it is Ortiz, 25-0(22).
First comes the capable Scott and then it will be very interesting to see who Ortiz fights after that.