Luis Ortiz Warns Tony Thompson: Barking Dogs Don't Bite!

By Elisinio Castillo

After weeks of verbally attacking Luis Ortiz on BoxingScene.com, veteran Tony Thompson will get his opportunity to face the Cuban fighter on March 5th in Washington. The WBA has yet to sanction this fight for Ortiz's WBA interim-heavyweight title. HBO will televise.

Ortiz (24-0, 21 KOs) was willing to face anyone on the date. The original opponent Alexander Dimitrenko was slated to be in there and then withdrew after making brand new financial demands that were excessive.

Thompson (40-6, 27 KOs) started criticizing Ortiz and claimed 'King Kon'g was fighting very weak opposition and refusing to face anyone who was dangerous or sized as a legit heavyweight.

Thompson holds two wins over Ortiz's countryman, Olympic gold medal winner Odlanier Solis. He also holds two knockouts victories over Olympic bronze medal winner David Price.

"Let him say whatever he wants. A lot of times, almost always...a barking dog does not bite. I understand that this is part of the game of boxing, but we'll see when the day of the fight comes, which of us will make the final statement," Ortiz told George Ebro.

It should be noted that Solis defeated Ortiz when the two fighters part of the Cuban sports system.

Should Ortiz win, he would have to face Russian giant Alexander Ustinov in a mandatory fight that was ordered by the WBA. It has to take place by June.

"The zero hour is coming, '' Ortiz said. "I know that I'm going to answer everyone [in the division], one by one, with all of those men and everyone who hid behind excuses.''

Thompson, who 2-2 in his last four fights, is viewed as a very dangerous opponent by Ortiz's manager.

"This will be a very interesting fight, full of action," said Ortiz's manager, Jay Jimenez. "But we're going to silence the man who twice defeated Solis."