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Ortiz looks to get in on heavyweight title action

Luis Ortiz is targeting the winner of Joshua-Klitschko while also keeping his options open for a title fight against Deontay Wilder.

Boxing at Manchester Arena Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Heavyweight contender Luis “King Kong” Ortiz is currently scheduled for a fight against Derric Rossy on April 22, but what he’s really looking for is his first world title shot against the winner of Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko.

Ortiz is currently the WBA’s mandatory challenger for the vacant belt that’ll be on the line in Joshua-Klitschko, but he’s also open to challenging Deontay Wilder for his WBC strap if he can get that to come together, telling World Boxing News:

"I'm ready to fight right now. I'm waiting for the opportunity to fight the winner of Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko. They better get ready, because 'King Kong' will be waiting for them,” said Ortiz.

"I would love to fight Deontay Wilder. We're both big, tough fighters. These are the kind of fights that people want to see. I know that my time will come,” he added.

Right now Ortiz is rated second by the WBC, right behind Bermane Stiverne who is currently Wilder’s mandatory challenger. So as it appears Stiverne will in fact get the first shot at Wilder in a rematch, Ortiz may have to wait awhile longer before getting his chance at the green belt. In the meanwhile, enforcing his mandatory status with the WBA could be his be his most expedient route to a world title opportunity.

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