Whyte Set to Face Ortiz in London?

Whyte Set to Face Ortiz in London?

By Josh Wooler

It is being reported by multiple outlets, including prominent boxing journalist Dan Rafael, that British heavyweight Dillian Whyte will take on Cuba’s Luis Ortiz in a WBC final eliminator on July 28 at the O2 in London.

Whyte (23-1), was widely expected to take on Kubrat Pulev in his native Bulgaria after Epic Sports won a purse bid to stage the fight which had been ordered by the IBF as an eliminator.

However, with Whyte due to receive just 25% of the purse for that fight, his promoter Eddie Hearn has looked for other options and is expected to announce Ortiz as Whyte’s next opponent at a press conference on Thursday.

Ortiz (28-1) challenged for the WBC heavyweight crown as recently as March, giving a good account of himself against champion Deontay Wilder, dominating much of the fight and nearly stopping Wilder in the seventh only to be viciously knocked out by the American in the tenth round.

At thirty-nine years of age, time is against Ortiz which would explain the rush to get straight back into the world title mix. For Whyte, a victory would surely secure him his first title shot, having eyed up a fight with Wilder for over a year.

It is worth noting that Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn has already suggested that Kell Brook will be fighting on July 28.