Luis Ortiz Breaking News Has Boxing Fans Shaking Heads

In the first of two bouts added to an already packed December 10th card in Manchester, England, Cuban heavyweight Luis Ortiz (26-0) will face Britain’s Dave Allen (9-1-1), live on Sky Sports Box Office. Ortiz made his European debut in Monte Carlo on November 12th with a points win over Malik Scott. He was frustrated by Scott’s negative approach, but the Cuban KO artist is confident that he prove he’s the next ruler of the division on December 10th. Allen is coming off a points loss to Dillian Whyte in July.

“I’m so excited to be boxing in the UK and it’s great to be keeping busy,” said Ortiz. “Monaco was a great experience for me and although the fight didn’t play out like I hoped I felt I learnt a lot.

“We looked at opponents for December 10th and we wanted someone who will come to fight for the fans. Dave Allen called the fight on and he’s got his wish. It’s great to be taking on a Brit in his backyard and I’m confident you will see the real Luis Ortiz in Manchester.”

Doncaster man Allen has other ideas though and for the 24 year old it’s a huge chance for him to claim a major scalp and put his name in the mix for more major battles in 2017.

“The day Eddie Hearn signed Luis Ortiz, I messaged him and said “I will fight him, stick me in with him!” said Allen. “I didn’t hold any fear of fighting him even before the Malik Scott fight. But that fight showed that the hype isn’t real. Ortiz isn’t Superman – I think he’s on the slide even though he’s undefeated.

“I showed I have a good defense against Dillian Whyte, so I will be prepared for anything. I said to myself I would only fight the end of the year if it was against David Price, but this fight is even bigger so I couldn’t say no. I’m going to put it all on the line against him. I’m stick it on him early, smack him bang on the chin and see how it goes.

“I’m going to make Ortiz look like an old man in there. When he hits me, I’m going to stand there and smile at him. This is the fight that will catapult my career on the world scene. My sparring tells me that I have the ability to become world class, now this my time to go out there and show the world what I can do.”

Ortiz’s heavyweight bout is part of a huge night of action in Manchester as Anthony Joshua defends his IBF heavyweight title against Eric Molina; Dillian Whyte faces bitter London rival Dereck Chisora in an official eliminator for the WBC heavyweight title; ex-122-pound title holder Scott Quigg returns from a broken jaw; Kal Yafai can become Birmingham’s first world champion but the unbeaten 27 year-old faces a tough task to rip the WBA 115-pound title against Luis Concepcion; and Irish amateur sensation Katie Taylor, a former Olympic champion, boxes for the second time in the paid ranks after making her pro debut at The SSE Arena.