By Steve Kim
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz read with a great interest a recent story on Boxingscene.com that talked about Ray Beltran's yearning to face WBC lightweight champion, Mikey Garcia.
"You put a nice article about Raymundo Beltran, that he wants to fight Mikey (Garcia). OK, the next available contender is Javier Fortuna and Javier Fortuna read the article and he told me to tell the writer, 'please tell him that if (Beltran) wants Garcia, Beltran has to get through me first," said Lewkowicz, who represents the southpaw.
Fortuna (32-1-1, 23 KO's), who last fought on June 24th in his native Dominican Republic (blowing out Mario Beltre in two) is scheduled for another tune-up according to Lewkowicz. But it's clear who they want next.
"If Beltran wants to have a shot at Garcia, I personally guarantee he need to fight Javier Fortuna. This is the words of my fighter - 'Lets see what kind of 'pantalones' he has to face me.'"said Lewkowicz.
While the WBC 135-pound title is held by Garcia (who recently out-pointed Adrien Broner at junior welterweight on July 29th), the number one contender was Luke Campbell, who is scheduled to face WBA belt-holder, Jorge Linares, on September 23rd.
Lewkowicz believes an eliminator between Beltran and Fortuna as the two highest rated contenders is in order.
"That's correct," he affirmed, "if he really wants the fight against a great champion like Mikey Garcia he needs to fight the next available contender because they're one and two. It needs to be Javier Fortuna in an elimination bout."
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com
