LUIS ORTIZ wants to fight the loser between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr despite being knocked out again by Deontay Wilder.
The Cuban was running away with the rounds in Las Vegas against WBC king Wilder, as he looked to avenge his defeat last year.
Deontay Wilder scored a second KO against Luis OrtizCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ortiz was up on all the judges scorecards before the round seven KOCredit: AP:Associated Press
But in the seventh the Bronze Bomber cancelled out all of the challenger’s early work after a right hand left Ortiz barely conscious, earning the champion another KO over the southpaw.
The 40-year-old was left heartbroken after his second career loss, but still wants to work his way up to title contention, and called out the loser between AJ and Ruiz, who rematch on December 7.
Ortiz’s trainer Herman Caicedo said: “Ortiz has never said ‘no’ to anybody.
“The loser of Joshua and Ruiz. Anybody in the top five.
“This is the best heavyweight on the plant by far, and he may even be the best heavyweight on the moon, if there’s boxing on the moon.”
Wilder now moves on to rematch Tyson Fury next year, and wants to secure an undisputed title clash after that having passed the test of Ortiz again.
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The Bronze Bomber’s decision to offer Ortiz a rematch was based on more than unfinished business, with both their daughters suffering from disabilities.
And after coming from behind again to KO the tricky southpaw, the WBC champion urged other heavyweights not to avoid Ortiz.
Wilder said: “Ortiz is one of the best in the world, you’ve got to give him that, that’s why I gave him the second opportunity, so he can feed his family and his beautiful daughter.
“Hopefully the other heavyweights in the division, I see a lot of them in the audience, give this man the opportunity, he’s one of the best.”
Another heavyweight due to be avoided as slick southpaw Oleksandr Usyk, who won his heavyweight debut last month stopping Chazz Witherspoon in seven rounds.
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But Ortiz is not afraid, if the money is right, to use his size advantage against the former undisputed cruiserweight king.
His trainer said: “If it’s a big fight, if it’s a money fight, but I think Usyk needs to prove himself a little bit in the heavyweight division first.
“He was a great cruiserweight, but he’s got to do something at heavyweight first before he gets in with the likes of the bigger guys.”
Ortiz wants to face the loser between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz JrCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Cuban southpaw Ortiz is also open to facing Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
