LUIS ORTIZ

Cuba, 38 years old, 27-0 (23)

LAST FIGHT:

Matchroom were crucified for matching the southpaw with Britain’s David Allen in December – a bout many considered a dangerous mismatch. However, it turned out to be harmless enough as Ortiz laboured to a seventh round stoppage win – doing absolutely nothing for his street cred in the process.

NEXT FIGHT:

Hearn and co understandably didn’t pursue their interest in “King Kong” (prior to beating Allen, Ortiz defeated Malik Scott over 12 rounds in a contest that could have put Red Bull out of business), and this year he signed with Al Haymon. A projected outing in April didn’t materialise, but with the likes of Breazeale, Washington and Artur Szpilka in the same promotional stable, opportunities might arise.

BEST ATTRIBUTE:

A fine technical boxer with fast hands, supreme strength and a spiteful punch, Ortiz hasn’t turned into a bad fighter overnight. One suspects that if he were matched with one of the leading fighters, his form would improve considerably. Don’t forget the bombastic manner he flattened Bryant Jennings and Tony Thompson before the Scott debacle – neither

result was a fluke.

WORST ATTRIBUTE:

He’s a victim of his own reputation as the most dangerous man in the division. No one wants to fight him, and when he doesn’t obliterate an opponent he’s expected to, the critics thrive. The land of the giants is a fickle world but, at 38, he’s probably already in decline.

WHO SHOULD HE AVOID?

Ortiz should avoid absolutely no one, time is not on his side.

HOW HIGH CAN HE GO?

He’s too talented to be completely written off and his No.1 ranking with the WBA will see him get a chance before too long. Whether Joshua decides to take him on is another matter though – more than likely Ortiz will end up in a bout for the vacant title.