By Jake Donovan
Golden Boy Promotions had entertained the notion of a non-title for Luis Ortiz if that's what it took to keep the unbeaten heavyweight active.
That theory will now be put to the test.
Tony Thompson agreed to terms to face the reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) "interim" heavyweight titlist, Golden Boy Promotions proudly announced on Monday. The matchup of heavyweight southpaws will take place on March 5 at the D.C. Armory in Washington D.C., giving Thompson a rare home game as well as one more shot at redemption on American cable outlet HBO, which will televise the event.
What the fight very well might not give him, however, is a third crack at a heavyweight title, despite what came of the promotional announcement.
The middle-aged boxer is unranked by the World Boxing Association (WBA), who currently recognizes Ortiz (24-0, 21KOs) as its "interim" titlist. A consolidation process is underway for the sanctioning bodies to reduce its number of heavyweight beltholders from three to one.
There stands a chance of this upcoming clash having no bearing on that tournament.
"The WBA has not (yet) approved this bout," WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza informed BoxingScene.com while traveling back home to Panama and thus not in a position to expand. "Thompson is not currently ranked (in the WBA Top 15)."
Thompson came in as a late replacement for Alexander Dimitrenko, who was scratched from the show although recent documentation landing in the possession of BoxingScene.com calls into question the exact reasons for his withdrawal.
Nevertheless, Thompson has accepted an offer after openly campaigning for a fight turned down by a slew of heavyweights. It remains to be seen if the fight serving as a non-title bout changes that desire.
Ortiz is coming off of a 7th round knockout of Bryant Jennings last December, his third win in six months. The upcoming show in March is means to keep the 36-year old heavyweight active, with HBO clearly along for the ride as the card marks his third straight appearance with network branding, all taking place in a span of less than five months.
Conversely, Thompson (40-6, 27KOs) comes in with far more tarnish than polish. The 44-year old southpaw - who just celebrated 16 years in the pro ranks - came up short in each of his previous title challenges, both of which were stoppage losses to then-World heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko in 2008 and 2012, respectively. Both fights aired live on HBO, though on each occasion managing to rebound with enough momentum to move back into the title picture.
His first loss to Klitschko in July '08 was followed by a five-fight win streak - all by knockout - before falling short in their July '12 rematch. Thompson rebounded with a pair of knockout wins over previously unbeaten David Price, the latter followed by a quick turnaround in facing - and losing to - then-unbeaten heavyweight Kubrat Pulev in Aug. '13. The setback to Pulev kicked off a stretch of having dropped three of his past five starts.
The most recent loss came last October, in which Thompson dropped a 10-round decision to Malik Scott in Orlando, Florida. A 9th round knockdown made the fight closer on the scorecards than was actually the case, as Thompson looked every bit the part of a 44-year old heavyweight well past his best date.
While his willingness to accept a dangerous assignment in Ortiz, it's not enough to earn extra credit with the sanctioning bodies, none of whom have him in their Top 15 heavyweight rankings.
One confirmed title fight on the show comes in the HBO-televised chief support. 2008 U.S. Olympic boxer and current unbeaten welterweight contender Sadam Ali faces former 140 lb. titlist Jessie Vargas in a vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title fight.
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
