Ortiz's Manager All Smiles With Order for Joshua-Klitschko Winner

By Elisinio Castillo

As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, Cuban heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz (27-0, 23 KO) will be in line to fight the winner of the April showdown between Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua - who clash for the IBF, WBA, IBO world titles.

"The decision is as follows: Joshua will fight Klitschko, and the winner will have to face Ortiz, '' WBA president Gilberto J. Mendoza told reporters." We're giving this opportunity to Ortiz. I will set the dates for the winner to face Ortiz.'

The Cuban power puncher left Golden Boy Promotions a few months ago and signed up with UK based Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, who also promote Joshua and several other heavyweight contenders. Ortiz has already won twice under Hearn's banner.

Ortiz's manager, Jay Jimenez, expected his boxer to eventually secure a big opportunity in the near future.
 
"Luis will be in a privileged position in 2017 and we will choose what is best for him," said Jimenez to George Ebro. "But we have no doubt that by any means he will fight for a world title and, of course, he will be the first Cuban to be crowned in the heavyweight division."

Without much difficulty, Ortiz surpassed Malik Scott in November and David Allen in December, making it clear that he is ready to face a bigger caliber of opponent.

Joshua has been watching Ortiz since joining he came over to Matchroom, and was fully aware that sooner or later the two of them would have to fight each other.

"I can imagine how anything can happen," Joshua said. "Hopefully I will defeat Klitschko and then fight Ortiz. I'm going to be watching him because he's a competitor in the division so I have to see him as a priority."