AJ vs. Ortiz: A huge risk for Hearn?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn has stated he would make Ortiz vs AJ..

Cuban sensation Luis Ortiz could be in line to face IBF heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua next year, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sp ... aj-v-ortiz

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "Luis Ortiz against Joshua could be a huge fight for 2017 and we have no problem in making that fight if it is the right move."

Would this be a risk for Hearn's cash cow?

Would a loss be bad for AJ, a young up comer, who is 10 years younger than Ortiz and arguably the face of Matchroom?

[DannyMCR]

IMO it would, as most of his casual audience are only watching until he stops knocking people out. Wouldn't be half as bad a loss to Fury though.

[sjollema]

Hearn will drum up interest in Ortiz by putting him on shows and showing people he is a knock out artist, Ortiz might even get a version of a belt and then he can pitch it as a unification.

Money either way.

[lefty]

I shit on Hearn a lot but he should get praise for this. Also like others have mentioned he'll raise Ortiz's profile maybe by fighting the likes of Whyte even. Would make sense (not so much for Whyte lol)

[Ricky_]

I think Ortiz has been the best heavyweight in the world over the last year going from his performances vs Wlad's.

The upside for Hearn is that Ortiz would probably knock out AJ if the fight takes place in the relatively near future leading to a huge Froch-Groves style rematch at Wembley. It's entirely plausible AJ then wins a rematch with every factor, including age, weighing against Ortiz for the rerun.

Worst case scenario AJ gets pasted twice, but all roads lead to big money for Matchroom imo.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I think Ortiz has been the best heavyweight in the world over the last year going from his performances vs Wlad's.

The upside for Hearn is that Ortiz would probably knock out AJ if the fight takes place in the relatively near future leading to a huge Froch-Groves style rematch at Wembley. It's entirely plausible AJ then wins a rematch with every factor, including age, weighing against Ortiz for the rerun.

AJ might need to box against Ortiz and win this on points. Both power punches, it's just the case of AJ actually knocking Ortiz down. The good thing with heavyweights, they all fall down one way or another.

Worst case scenario AJ gets pasted twice, but all roads lead to big money for Matchroom imo.

Kinda like Price losing twice to Thompson.. the fight was made for that reason so he could avenge..

[Ricky_]

I think Ortiz has been the best heavyweight in the world over the last year going from his performances vs Wlad's.

The upside for Hearn is that Ortiz would probably knock out AJ if the fight takes place in the relatively near future leading to a huge Froch-Groves style rematch at Wembley. It's entirely plausible AJ then wins a rematch with every factor, including age, weighing against Ortiz for the rerun.

AJ might need to box against Ortiz and win this on points. Both power punches, it's just the case of AJ actually knocking Ortiz down. The good thing with heavyweights, they all fall down one way or another.

If Ortiz finds his way in to fight on the inside, AJ stands no chance.

[Enlightened-One]

AJ vs. Ortiz: A huge risk for Hearn?

Nope!

[Rob3_142]

It's definitely a risk for Hearn, but I voted for depends.

It's obviously a massive risk to put Joshua in now as a defeat now probably damages Joshua's marketability (although I don't think by a lot). That said, in 2 and a bit years time he's 40 and arguably a lot less dangerous. So to one degree, it depends when Hearn throws Joshua and Ortiz in together.

Secondly, if Ortiz does beat Joshua, that puts Ortiz's stock up a LOT, and I'm not convinced Joshua would lose much. So Hearn's net gain for an Ortiz win is massive, while a Joshua win would be easily a net gain also. So win-win!

[Syntax Error]

Huge risk now: next year, who knows?

Ortiz is approximately 75 years old & next year, he might be 83, so Joshua might be ready then.

Facetiousness aside, Joshua needs a couple of big step ups before throwing the name Ortiz around.

[bigman1968]

Sorry for sceptic approach, but, Ortiz vs Joshua will end in a way the owner will tell them. AJ is much better money maker...so figure out who'll win...

[Enlightened-One]

It's definitely a risk for Hearn...

OK, so you think Hearn would be taking a risk pitting Anthony Joshua against Luis Ortiz.

Secondly, if Ortiz does beat Joshua, that puts Ortiz's stock up a LOT, and I'm not convinced Joshua would lose much.

You're suggesting that Hearn would break even then, so it’s not much of a risk as you initially feared.

So Hearn's net gain for an Ortiz win is massive, while a Joshua win would be easily a net gain also. So win-win!

It sounds as though Hearn would “win” regardless the outcome. So there’s no risk at all.

Did you just change your mind whilst you were expressing your thoughts?

[Rob3_142]

It's definitely a risk for Hearn...

OK, so you think Hearn would be taking a risk pitting Anthony Joshua against Luis Ortiz.

Secondly, if Ortiz does beat Joshua, that puts Ortiz's stock up a LOT, and I'm not convinced Joshua would lose much.

You're suggesting that Hearn would break even then, so it’s not much of a risk as you initially feared.

So Hearn's net gain for an Ortiz win is massive, while a Joshua win would be easily a net gain also. So win-win!

It sounds as though Hearn would “win” regardless the outcome. So there’s no risk at all.

Did you just change your mind whilst you were expressing your thoughts?

It's quite possible.

For the record, I did vote for 'depends'...

[Rob3_142]

Personally I think AJ would blast Ortiz out of there in less than three. This is a stupid fight at the moment, Ortiz needs to be built up better before being slaughtered.

Is it possible you could elaborate what your basing your point on? How do you know it wouldn't be Ortiz that would blast AJ out inside 3 rounds?

[lefty]

Personally I think AJ would blast Ortiz out of there in less than three. This is a stupid fight at the moment, Ortiz needs to be built up better before being slaughtered.

Is it possible you could elaborate what your basing your point on? How do you know it wouldn't be Ortiz that would blast AJ out inside 3 rounds?

Know? I don't know.

Ortiz would need to catch AJ to blast him out of there. AJ's footwork is way to good for that to happen, AJ will control the distance, there is very little doubt in my mind regarding that. I don't know, this is just a very strong feeling that I have, Luis Ortiz is all wrong for many opponents and I feel that AJ is equally all wrong for Ortiz.

[BitPlayer]

Another basket to put his eggs, a nice back up if Joshua loses to Wlad. PLus he could make insane money on both ends if he gets them to fight at the right time if all goes well for them.

[Kalan]

Is it possible you could elaborate what your basing your point on? How do you know it wouldn't be Ortiz that would blast AJ out inside 3 rounds?

Know? I don't know.

Ortiz would need to catch AJ to blast him out of there. AJ's footwork is way to good for that to happen, AJ will control the distance, there is very little doubt in my mind regarding that. I don't know, this is just a very strong feeling that I have, Luis Ortiz is all wrong for many opponents and I feel that AJ is equally all wrong for Ortiz.

I don't see ANY wrong opponent for Ortiz right now -- but his potential opponents see wrong all over the place when they look at Ortiz... LC is not going to be fighting Joshua soon... Why would that fight happen right now unless Ortiz was the mandatory??? GGG was the mandatory for the last 3 Lineal World Middleweight Title holders wasn't he??? How many fought him??? Now, Klitschko would be the right fight for Joshua... Possibly followed by Fury if Ty can get his mental illness straightened out.. Joseph Parker is going to fight Joshua before he fights Ortiz... Who wants to fight Ortiz??? Why isn't Ortiz getting these fights??? How many super skillful southpaw Heavyweights, who can hit a ton, has there ever been in the History of Boxing??? One so far...and he hasn't been successful at getting appropriate fights.

[Rob3_142]

Know? I don't know.

Ortiz would need to catch AJ to blast him out of there. AJ's footwork is way to good for that to happen, AJ will control the distance, there is very little doubt in my mind regarding that. I don't know, this is just a very strong feeling that I have, Luis Ortiz is all wrong for many opponents and I feel that AJ is equally all wrong for Ortiz.

I don't see ANY wrong opponent for Ortiz right now -- but his potential opponents see wrong all over the place when they look at Ortiz... LC is not going to be fighting Joshua soon... Why would that fight happen right now unless Ortiz was the mandatory??? GGG was the mandatory for the last 3 Lineal World Middleweight Title holders wasn't he??? How many fought him??? Now, Klitschko would be the right fight for Joshua... Possibly followed by Fury if Ty can get his mental illness straightened out.. Joseph Parker is going to fight Joshua before he fights Ortiz... Who wants to fight Ortiz??? Why isn't Ortiz getting these fights??? How many super skillful southpaw Heavyweights, who can hit a ton, has there ever been in the History of Boxing??? One so far...and he hasn't been successful at getting appropriate fights.

I think if he's promoted properly, which I believe he will be by Hearn, these fights will occur inside 12 months. Scott is a starting point, and a few other building fights to raise his profile and make him more relevant in the big picture, and before you know it he'll be mentioned in the same breathe as some of the bigger names. He already has a profile in the US, the fight in Monaco will give him some platform in Europe, and the UK fans will absolutely eat up 'King Kong' and his knockout mentality. Think he's very marketable, just need to get the people talking about him. With the right fights it won't take long.

[lefty]

I don't see ANY wrong opponent for Ortiz right now -- but his potential opponents see wrong all over the place when they look at Ortiz... LC is not going to be fighting Joshua soon... Why would that fight happen right now unless Ortiz was the mandatory??? GGG was the mandatory for the last 3 Lineal World Middleweight Title holders wasn't he??? How many fought him??? Now, Klitschko would be the right fight for Joshua... Possibly followed by Fury if Ty can get his mental illness straightened out.. Joseph Parker is going to fight Joshua before he fights Ortiz... Who wants to fight Ortiz??? Why isn't Ortiz getting these fights??? How many super skillful southpaw Heavyweights, who can hit a ton, has there ever been in the History of Boxing??? One so far...and he hasn't been successful at getting appropriate fights.

I think if he's promoted properly, which I believe he will be by Hearn, these fights will occur inside 12 months. Scott is a starting point, and a few other building fights to raise his profile and make him more relevant in the big picture, and before you know it he'll be mentioned in the same breathe as some of the bigger names. He already has a profile in the US, the fight in Monaco will give him some platform in Europe, and the UK fans will absolutely eat up 'King Kong' and his knockout mentality. Think he's very marketable, just need to get the people talking about him. With the right fights it won't take long.

Yeah. I think Ortiz will be matched up with Whyte in the not so distant future aswell. Whyte said he was up for the fight if Ortiz beats his big Bro Scott or some nonsense along those lines. If he beats Whyte in good fashion that would raise his profile and stock considerably with the British public due to Whyte's association with Joshua. That would be a smart fight for Ortiz and his camp to target I think.