Luis Ortiz has just suffered the third defeat of his career but he is already looking for a route back to the upper echelons of the sport’s premier division.
The 43-year-old was dropped three times against former unified world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on September 4 but managed to see out the fight.
Ortiz, who had trouble with his left eye during the bout, was on the wrong end of 111-114, 112-113 and 111-114 scorecards from the three scoring judges but the Cuban believes there is plenty fight left in him.
“Give me my respect, all heavyweights have or will get dropped at some point so to say I’m old because I went down and got up then what does that say about Fury hitting the canvas or Joshua or Whyte or Wilder? Are they old?”
Ortiz was sounding off during an interview with Boxing Scene in which he went on to outline his potential future plans – including the ideas of possible showdowns against the Tyson Fury, the WBC champion, or his fellow Brit Anthony Joshua.
Ortiz added:
“I mean I did stand in front, toe-to-toe with a man who weighed in 25 more pounds than me and I mostly took the fight to him and with all respect to Ruiz, I’d love a rematch with him.”
If a rematch with the California-based Mexican isn’t forthcoming for Ortiz, he is eager to face one of either ‘The Gypsy King’ or ‘AJ’ before the end of the year.
Joshua has been handed something of a lifeline from his fellow Brit Fury as he was offered a shot at the WBC heavyweight title before the end of the year. Team Joshua has accepted a 60-40 split but Frank Warren, the Queensberry head honcho, revealed recently that talks have been placed on hold following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Ortiz reckons he will have what it takes to give either man a battle in the ring.
“Hey Fury and Joshua, I hear you both are looking for opponents.
Well I am down to fight either one of you. Let’s see what you young lads can do against me,I hear you both are looking for opponents. Well, I am down to fight either one of you. Let’s see what you young lads can do against me.”