By Ryan Burton
Top heavyweight contender Luis "King King" Ortiz (27-0 23 KOs) has seen his name in the news on a regular basis the past couple of months.
After buying out his co-promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions, he fought on two Matchroom cards in the UK. He defeated Malik Scott by unanimous decision in about sorted by HBO in November and a few weeks later stopped David Allen in 7 rounds on the Anthony Joshua-Eric Molina undercard.
Ortiz's manager Jay Jimenez recently told BoxingScene.com that while they enjoy working with Eddie Hearn's company, they don't have a formal promotional agreement.
More recently there has been talk of a potential fight against fellow unbeaten heavyweight Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller and the possibility of the WBC ordering Ortiz to fight former champion Bermane Stiverne in an elimination bout to create a mandatory challenger to face champion Deontay Wilder.
The only promoter that has Ortiz signed to a promotional contract is Dade Promotions and the President Jorge Carmenate sent the following statement to BoxingScene.com.
"Let us clear up the many rumors about who promotes Luis Ortiz. Even though I would have loved the idea of a 50/50 deal with Matchroom, no deal was ever made and I haven't even had the pleasure of meeting Eddie Hearn. (Dade) adviser Tony Grygelko called and said that they want to offer us a fight by fight deal and see where it takes us," Carmenate said.
"The fight against Malik (Scott) I approved. Even though Malik ran around for 12 rounds, at least he took the fight. The second fight (against Allen) I didn't approve but his manager wouldn't let off and honestly the man, Jay Jimenez, has a proven track record as a great manager and knows his boxing so I gave him his request and now they come back to me with this Miller fight - which I was told I would have an answer last Monday and I haven't heard anything.
"I don't know what deal (Miller's team may) have with HBO but I haven't yet signed anything or had my fighter sign anything but I'd like to know what they are talking about.
"Anyway, I will be reaching out to Eddie personally and I might just fly out to the UK. I'm still interested in negotiating with Matchroom. I'm also still waiting on the WBC to say more about the fight between Luis Ortiz versus Stiverne because it is real interesting to us. Let's see how the next few months shape up," said Carmenate.
