Jay Deas, co-manager and trainer of WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs), loves the idea of a fall showdown with undefeated contender Luis Ortiz (27-0, 23 KOs).
BoxingScene.com reported earlier this week that both sides are in talks for a potential clash on November 4th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Wilder has been out of the ring since scoring a stoppage win over previously undefeated Gerald Washington, on February 25 in Birmingham’s Legacy Arena.
Wilder's tream is still trying to sort out the issue with being ordered to make a mandatory defense against Bermane Stiverne in a rematch. Wilder won the title from Stiverne in January 2015.
Deas confirms that Ortiz is indeed a frontrunner to face Wilder in the fall. Ortiz is one of the more avoided heavyweights in the division and he's been unable to secure fights against top tier opponents. A few months ago he signed on with powerful adviser Al Haymon, who also works with Wilder and several other heavyweight boxers.
In the match comes together, Ortiz would be regarded as one of the best opponents of Wilder's career. Ortiz has been out of the ring since last December, when he stopped British heavyweight David Allen. He was scheduled to fight earlier this year, but withdrew with an injury.
Even with Wilder being inactive since February, Deas feels confident that his boxer would be ready to face Ortiz in the fall.
"(No concerns) whatsoever (with fighting Ortiz next),” Deas said to the Tuscaloosa News. “We’re in this business to be the best and to be the best you have to fight the best. That’s what we’re trying to do.
“A lot of people make excuses to not fight Deontay, and people make a lot of excuses not to fight Ortiz. They are the most avoided heavyweights in the world today. It makes sense for these two guys to fight. It would be a huge fight for the sport of boxing.”
