UNDEFEATED heavyweight contender, Luis “King Kong” Ortiz, joined forces with Matchroom Boxing on Saturday in a partnership that substantially expands the playing field for the former interim WBA World champion.
Boxing News spoke exclusively to Team Ortiz on Saturday to learn more about the decision and what’s next for the Cuban sensation.
“I am very excited that we came to a deal with Eddie,” said Ortiz. “I believe that the best and fastest way to stardom is being in the UK and in the USA. With Eddie already having Joshua, we believe that getting close to Matchroom Boxing is one of the fastest routes to stardom.”
“We were looking for a bigger promoter,” added Ortiz’s manager, Juan Jimenez. “And, as far as the heavyweight division goes, we think he’s one of the biggest promoters out there, especially so we could cross over and work in the UK.”
Ortiz had an active 2015, fighting three times in six months, and closed out the year in impressive fashion, stopping the sturdy Bryant Jennings in the seventh round- something that Wladimir Klitschko was unable to do.
In March of this year, Ortiz made easy work out of veteran Tony Thompson, sending the American to the canvas three times en route to a 6th round knockout victory.
After that, his career stalled, and disagreements with Golden Boy Promotions about fight terms and purses eventually led to Ortiz and Jimenez buying themselves out of their contract with Oscar and company.
In their alliance with Eddie Hearn, sights have now been reset and wheels are already in motion to fast-track Ortiz within the turbulent heavyweight division.
For Ortiz’s next fight, it was rumored that France-based Carlos Takam had stepped up to the challenge, but additional options have been put on the table with Ortiz now part of the Matchroom Boxing stable.
“We believe that’s probably not going to happen now” said Jimenez about the potential fight with Takam. “We have probably a bigger fight in play. Eddie is working on that right now. We don’t know yet who we’re fighting but we’re definitely fighting in Monaco (on November 12).
“We believe that when Eddie gets behind a fighter, he will do all he can and use all he has to to put him in the limelight,” continued Jimenez. “So now it becomes not who’s gonna fight him but how many people are publicly going to avoid him. Because eddie will put you in the limelight and let you know ‘No, you’re avoiding me.’
An official announcement regarding Ortiz’s next fight is expected from Matchroom Boxing on Monday.
