Anthony Joshua could face Luis Ortiz within the next 12 months, Eddie Hearn believes
Monday 21 November 2016 16:13, UK
Eddie Hearn has revealed that Luis Ortiz can set up a potential showdown with Anthony Joshua next year if he defeats Malik Scott this Saturday night.
IBF champion Joshua admitted this week he expects a future fight with 'King Kong' Ortiz, who can strengthen his position in the heavyweight rankings with a win over Scott in Monte Carlo, live on Sky Sports.
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Promoter Hearn has already mapped out Joshua's next two bouts as he will firstly defend his IBF belt against Eric Molina at Manchester Arena on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office, while a planned fight with Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA 'super' title is due to follow in the spring.
But the unbeaten Cuban could be confirmed as the mandatory challenger for new WBA 'super' champion and Hearn believes Joshua-Ortiz is "potentially 10 to 12 months down the line".
"That is one of the reasons we decided to work with him," Hearn told Sky Sports. "He's one of the top heavyweights in the world and one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the world.
I've spoken to AJ about it and he wants to fight all the top guys and he considers Ortiz to be one of the very top guys in the division.
"Joshua is going to want meet all these guys and Luis Ortiz is no exception.
"He is ranked No 1 by the WBA and it's likely that he will become the mandatory after Joshua-Klitschko and he's now highly-ranked by the IBF as well.
"I've spoken to AJ about it and he wants to fight all the top guys, and he considers Ortiz to be one of the very top guys in the division."
Discussing a timescale for the fight, Hearn added: "We are talking about potentially 10 to 12 months down the line.
"Anthony has got to fight Eric Molina first then Wladimir Klitschko and get through those two fights - and they are tough fights especially Klitschko - then the Ortiz fight could be out there.
"We are trying to build Anthony Joshua in America and we are looking to build Ortiz in America, Europe and all over the world."
Watch Luis Ortiz v Malik Scott on the Monte Carlo card, including Martin Murray, Jamie McDonnell and Stephen Smith, from 7pm, Saturday, live on Sky Sports 2.
