LUIS ORTIZ would ‘love an opportunity’ to fight Anthony Joshua in replace of Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk dethroned AJ of the WBA, IBF and WBO unified titles with a 12-round masterclass last September.
Luis Ortiz would ‘love an opportunity’ to fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: AP:Associated PressAnthony Joshua could see his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk shelvedCredit: ©Ian Walton Matchroom BoxingThe pair are signed to an immediate rematch but the Ukrainian, 35, has bravely taken up arms to defend his nation in the war against Russia.
Joshua, 32, has respected Usyk’s situation but it could see their rematch shelved.
And both he and promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed they will be open to an interim bout in the meantime if needed.
So Cuban Ortiz, 42, is ready to capitalise on the lack of southpaw heavyweights and offer himself up to fight AJ.
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Joshua makes Wilder No1 choice for interim fight in four-man shortlist
His manager Jay Jimenez said: “Luis ‘King Kong’ Ortiz would love an opportunity to step up to the challenge of facing Joshua.”
Ortiz was in a similar situation in 2019 when Jarrell Miller, 33, was pulled from fighting Joshua after three failed drug tests.
But he turned down £7million to instead chase a rematch with Deontay Wilder, 36, which he lost by knockout, his second to the American.
Ortiz is now joined by Otto Wallin in offering his services if Usyk cannot proceed with his rematch.
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Wallin, 30, most famously left Tyson Fury, 33, needing 47 stitches in their fight three years ago, which he lost on points.
The Swede rates himself as a better challenge to AJ then Ortiz or Charles Martin, 35, who the British superstar KO’d in 2015.
Wallin told SunSport: “I think if you look at us three, I’d be the best option.
“I had that really good fight with Fury, sent him to the hospital with 47 stitches and was probably Fury’s hardest fight so far.
“If you look at Usyk and you’re trying to find someone that’s similar to him, obviously I’m the best option.
“They know that I’m interested in the fight and I want the fight.”
Otto Wallin left Tyson Fury needing 47 stitchesCredit: EPA
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
