By Elisinio Castillo
For Luis Ortiz, a new lifeline has opened up.
After his hard-fought defeat from this past March, a new opportunity with a door to a world title shot.
As BoxingScene.com reported a few days ago, the World Boxing Council (WBC) has ordered a final eliminator between Ortiz and Dillian Whyte (23-1, 17 KOs) - with the winner earning a mandatory shot at WBC world champion Deontay Wilder.
Ortiz (28-1, 24 KO) was dropped twice in the tenth round and stopped by Wilder at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, but not before putting the WBC king in serious trouble in a seventh round where he was very close to taking the victory.
Ortiz strongly feels that a rematch is warranted to set the record straight - because he believes the referee prevented him from knocking Wilder out.
"We are very happy to find another path to fight for the world title," said Jay Jiménez, manager of Ortiz, to George Ebro.
"We are convinced that Luis will be the winner and he will face Wilder in another match that will be twice as attractive as the first. Here is the issue between Luis and Wilder that has not been finished - the public feels that their business is not over. People feel that Wilder was helped. Luis will be in better condition for a rematch."
But before thinking about a second chapter in this novel, Ortiz will have to take care of Whyte, who a couple of weeks ago knocked out Lucas Browne before a crowded Arena O2 in London.
Whyte, who fights under the banner of the well-known promoter Eddie Hearn, has a single defeat on his record - which came at the hands of unified champion Anthony Joshua.
"For Luis, a range of possibilities open up again," said Jiménez, "This fight against Whyte will be very much appreciated by the public. Luis never disappoints. Many consider that he should have won in March against Wilder, but we will return to face him again. We already have the path.''