Zayas said himself on Twitter that he was approached with the idea and said yes immediately to fighting Ortiz in place of Boots. Of course, until it gets signed nothing truly matters as the fallout of Ortiz-Boots showed but the difference here is that Zayas himself is wanting it, and Ortiz unlike Shakur doesn't seem like one to give an "I'm too good for you" answer knowing good money on line and was actually willing to fight Boots.
Zayas is already fighting at 154 and is no. 4 on WBC ranking, but given that the top three are Spence (not happening because waiting on Fundora or bust it seems at this point), Bohachuk and Madrimov (fighting eachother on the December Usyk-Fury 2 undercard), he is realistically the highest ranked available guy. I'm sure financially he will get paid very well.
The only thing that could dent the idea is Arum not wanting Zayas to lose his zero so early, but IMO his young age, but how much power does the promoter have to stop it if Zayas himself and his team is more than willing, and is a legit offer in the same division?
Zayas is already fighting at 154 and is no. 4 on WBC ranking, but given that the top three are Spence (not happening because waiting on Fundora or bust it seems at this point), Bohachuk and Madrimov (fighting eachother on the December Usyk-Fury 2 undercard), he is realistically the highest ranked available guy. I'm sure financially he will get paid very well.
The only thing that could dent the idea is Arum not wanting Zayas to lose his zero so early, but IMO his young age, but how much power does the promoter have to stop it if Zayas himself and his team is more than willing, and is a legit offer in the same division?