HamAndEgger
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BoxingScene.com has been informed that undefeated heavyweight puncher Luis Ortiz (27-0, 23 KOs) of Cuba has signed on with powerful adviser Al Haymon. "The Real King Kong" Ortiz, who turns 38 today, is managed by Jay Jiminez and promoted by Dade Promotions. Last year, Ortiz saw action three times and under two promotional banners.
Ortiz fought in March, when he knocked out Tony Thompson in an HBO televised bout from the DC Armory in Weshington DC. Then he was sidelined for a few months while his team negotiated a release from their promotional agreement with Golden Boy Promotions. After departing from Golden Boy, Ortiz and his team started working with British promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport.
The deal, according to Ortiz's handlers, was on a fight by fight basis. Ortiz fought in November on a Matchroom card from Monaco, where he won a decision over Malik Scott. And then Ortiz came back in December, as part of the Anthony Joshua-Eric Molina undercard in Manchester, and stopped David Allen. The World Boxing Association had recently ordered the winner of Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko, which takes place on April 29 at Wembley, to make a mandatory defense against Ortiz. The Joshua-Klitschko bout will have the IBF, WBA, IBO world titles at stake. The IBF has also ordered the winner to make a mandatory, against Kubrat Pulev. Besides the path of Joshua-Klitschko, Ortiz now has another lucrative option in his path, as Haymon is also the adviser of WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Before Wilder can even consider Ortiz, the World Boxing Council has ordered the unbeaten champion to make a mandatory defense in a rematch with Bermane Stiverne. Haymon has other heavyweights in his stable, including Gerald Washington, Dominic Breazeale, Travis Kauffman, Chris Arreola, Izu Ugonoh, and Artur Szpilka - which provides several potential opponents to keep Ortiz busy.
Luis Ortiz Inks Pact With Al Haymon - Boxing News
