“Massive name, skilled fighter still and ‘Boots’ said no … [WBC 154lbs champion Sebastian] Fundora promoter Sampson [Lewkowicz] dodged Ortiz as a mandatory and then told the world he will never let Fundora fight Vergil (smart guy). [Errol] Spence retired, Tim Tszyu moved up, [Keith] Thurman done and if Ortiz goes up, 154 becomes a wasteland and 160 the [fire] 🔥 division,” Ortiz manager Rick Mirigian told BoxingScene Monday in dissecting why Charlo 35-2-1 (19KOs) currently stands as the most viable opponent.
Charlo told BoxingScene by direct message that Monday’s widespread reports that he’s bound to fight Ortiz are “not true at all. I talked to [Premier Boxing Champions head] Al [Haymon] myself and I’m [fighting] Tim [Tszyu] next, working on location.”
Although Charlo hasn’t fought since his September 2023 unanimous-decision loss to Canelo Alvarez, Mirigian ticked off the factors as to why others have withdrawn from talks for an Ortiz bout.
