Heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson has been called out by 45-year-old former world title contender Luis Ortiz.
This followed Anderson’s boring 10-round unanimous decision win over Riyad Mahi last Saturday at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Enter Cuban veteran Luis Ortiz (34-3, 29 KOs). He responded on social media to a challenge put out by Anderson (17-0, 15 KOs) promoter Bob Arum earlier this week.
“We’re looking for a heavyweight that we think can actually beat Jared Anderson,” Arum tweeted. “We need someone brave enough to step into the ring with Jared and give it a serious fight. There’s no one he’s reluctant to fight at this point.”
Ortiz fired back on social media shortly after the tweet.
“Hello, boxing fans. This is a message for Bob Arum,” Ortiz said in Spanish, which was translated on his social media. “Bob Arum, if you really want to try Jared Anderson, give him to me.”
“I can definitely say [it] It’s going to be a great fight,” Ortiz continued. “And it’s a nightmare for Jared Anderson.”
Despite being 21 years older than the 24-year-old Anderson, Ortiz is 3-2 in his last five fights with a win over Charles Martin and losses to Andy Ruiz and Deontay Wilder. Ortiz defeated Francisco Cordero by first-round knockout in January, ending a layoff that lasted just over a year following his loss to Ruiz.
Ortiz is an older puncher who may not be hard to find but packs a powerful punch.
Anderson, ranked 13th in the WBA rankings, should return later this year, and Ortiz could be a likely option. The Cuban is a technically skilled boxer-puncher and is now taking on his biggest fight yet: Father Time.
