By Radio Rahim
According to Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, he has an offer to train WBA interim-heavyweight champion Luis Ortiz of Cuba.
Last month, Ortiz (24-0, 21KOs) picked up his most impressive win to date with a knockout in seven rounds of respected contender Bryant Jennings.
Roach also says two-time Olympic gold medal winner Guillermo Rigondeaux wants to come on board as well, but BoxingScene.com reported last week that Rigondeaux has rehired his old trainer Pedro Diaz.
Ortiz is on the verge of landing a world title shot at the winner of the upcoming bout between WBA "regular" champion Ruslan Chagave and mandatory challenger Lucas Browne.
The Cuban fighter has been ordered to face Russian giant Alexander Ustinov in a final eliminator of sorts.
Roach is concerned that he doesn't have the time to train Ortiz. Roach trains Manny Pacquiao (who retires in April), Miguel Cotto, Jose Ramirez, Viktor Postol. and several other fighters.
"He looks good too. I actually have an offer to take him, him and Rigondeaux want to both come together. I like both guys, I like both fighters - I just don't know if I have time. I haven't answered them yet, but there is a request. I have trained heavyweight champions before, but this one might be one of the better ones coming up. The heavyweight division is slowly coming up in the heavyweight division," Roach said.
