Manager says Ortiz removed from Wilder fight for medical reasons, no suspension

Jay Jimenez, the manager of Luis Ortiz, says he wants to make clear that his fighter’s recently dumped title fight against Deontay Wilder was called off by the WBC due to medical reasons, and that his fighter has not been suspended by the organization nor has he been removed from their rankings.

"The WBC's decision was as follows, they did not sanction the fight based off the fact that they are worried for Luis's health. And to be honest, I must respect and admire their decision because I agree, the fighter's health is paramount.

"So, the WBC will schedule a visit with one of their approved physicians to check Luis health, and make sure he is 100% healthy and fit to fight, and that the Blood Pressure pills will not affect him physically."

Jimenez continued by stating that after Ortiz is medically cleared by the WBC he will look to set up a fight by the end of the year, also mentioning that he hopes to reschedule the Wilder fight in the first quarter of 2018.

Whether or not that is a realistic expectation is another debate, however. In recent years Wilder has had three fights scrapped due to failed drug tests from his opponents and he may not be willing to take another chance on Ortiz for a fight that could easily collapse at any moment. And I wouldn’t necessarily blame the man for feeling that way. We shall see...