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Kalle Sauerland, promoter for undefeated Olympic bronze medal winner Filip Hrgovic, cautions that Luis Ortiz will have to face his fighter in order to force a mandatory IBF title shot.
Hrgovic was ordered to take part in an IBF final eliminator, but he’s had a lot of trouble securing an opponent.
Ortiz, 42-years-old, took part in an IBF eliminator over the weekend. He stopped former IBF world champion Charles Martin is six rounds.
The Cuban boxer was dropped twice on the contest, and found himself behind on the cards, before landing a huge shot in the sixth to have Martin out on his feet. Ortiz dropped Martin twice before the fight was waved off.
Sauerland is getting on the horn right away, with calls being made to the IBF to order a fight between Hrgovic and Ortiz.
“We’re waiting for the IBF to send out the letters and then of course we’ll be talking with Ortiz’s people,” Sauerland told Sky Sports.
“They are well known to us and we’ve worked with them before. That’s something that we’ll be doing in the next days as soon as those letters go out.
“There’s always that purse bid scenario as well, of course. I think not only will he [Hrgovic] make a statement beating Ortiz, but of course, the reward is a crack at the world title and that’s always been the mission.
“That’s something that Filip is going to absolutely take with both hands, so he’s delighted, we’re delighted, and we’re looking forward to putting on a great fight.”
Hgrovic, like Ortiz, is a big power puncher – and issued a warning to the Cuban boxer.
“Ortiz will freeze from my punches! My power will send him for a cold shower,” Hrgovic said.
The current IBF world champion is Oleksandr Usyk – who faces former beltholder Anthony Joshua in a rematch in the coming months.