Luis Ortiz vs Alexander Ustinov

[Boxing Writer]

On or about August 26, 2015, the WBA received a request from Golden Boy Promotions to sanction a fight between #7 ranked Luis Ortiz (24-0, 21 KOs), from Miami by way of Camaguey, Cuba, and #15 ranked Matias Vidondo (20-2-1, 18 KOs) for the vacant Interim WBA World heavyweight title on October 17, 2015.

In light of Vidondo’s ranking, the WBA Championships Committee issued a notice of the proposed bout to the representatives of ranked heavyweight boxers to determine of there were any objections to the proposed bout.

The WBA received objections from the representatives of three ranked heavyweight fighters. They were Philippe Fondu from Hatton Promotions on behalf of #3 ranked Lucas Browne, Gary Shaw of Gary Shaw Promotions on behalf of #6 ranked Bryant Jennings, and Queensberry Promotions on behalf of #7 ranked Alexander Ustinov.

The WBA Championships Committee granted Ortiz’s request to fight Vidondo for the interim title conditioned on the winner facing Jennings, with the winner of Jennings bout to face Ustinov within six months.

Ortiz fought and defeated Vidondo on October 17, 2015, at New York’s Madison Square Garden and was KO’d in three rounds. Two months later, on December 19, 2015, at Turning Stone Casino & Resort in Verona, New York, Ortiz defeated Jennings by TKO in round seven.

“Subject to compliance with all other applicable WBA rules and the conditions previously reference,” says Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, WBA Championships Chairman, “Ortiz must face Ustinov on or before June 19, 2016. If a purse bid is necessary, the purse bid split will be 50/50.”

[Ilya Muromets]

Interesting fight. Who wins? I don't know. On second thought I'll go with Ustinov by decision.

[IRLangmaid25]

Ortiz... Ustinov relies on his size to wear opponents down..

[Ilya Muromets]

I wasn't all that impressed with Ortiz except that he is very strong.

[Undefeated49-0]

I wasn't all that impressed with Ortiz except that he is very strong.

Ortiz had a difficult opponent in Jennings so I cannot see why it wasn't impressive to you what he was able to do in stopping him (something Klitschko couldn't do and an opponent that Klits had a lot of trouble with).

[Impractical Poster]

I wasn't all that impressed with Ortiz except that he is very strong.

+2 ...somewhat. I think he is decently skilled as well. But his hype is off the charts ATM. I believe he beats Ustinov, but would lose to Wilder.

[Tarkus]

Huge talent gap between these two. Ortiz win is guaranteed in my mind. I am not sure about the stoppage, Ustinov is a very large dude, but it can happen late in the fight.

[badkatt]

ortiz luvs to go to the body and against ustinov hes gonna have a lot of body to hit / hes gonna chop ustinov down by rd 9

[PredatorHayds]

I'm not on board the Ortiz bandwagon yet, but I think Ustinov can be hit and caught square and static.

Styles make fights and I'd fancy Ortiz to win via early KO.

50/50 split could be a stumbling block though. Ortiz the flavour of the month at the moment and the bigger drawer.

[ElJefe]

Pulev isn't the biggest puncher but stopped Ustinov, I think Ortiz will stop him late as well. Speaking of Pulev, he'd be a decent fight for Ortiz.

[Tanzio]

It would be interesting to see how Ortiz does with the size, as well as being decent preparation for the other gigantors of the division.

I think Ortiz stops him in the neighborhood of 6.

[SFW]

It would be interesting to see how Ortiz does with the size, as well as being decent preparation for the other gigantors of the division.

I think Ortiz stops him in the neighborhood of 6.

X2

[wesshaw1985]

Frampton vs. Rigondeaux - Main.
Ustinov vs. Ortiz - Co-main.

big show in Belfast.
Make it happen...