Luis Ortiz was challenged to a match by Filip Hrgovic to decide who will have a chance for the world title against Oleksandr Usyk.
Ortiz, the 42-year-old Cuban contender, jumped off the floor twice on Saturday night to explosively KO former champion ‘Prince’ Charles Martin.
Martin and Hrgovic were ranked at No. 1 and n. 2 from the IBF prior to Ortiz’s brutal reminder of his own threat.
“Ortiz has to fight Hrgovic if he is to make the final elimination,” said Hrgovic’s promoters, the Sauerlands.
Hrgovic warned: “Ortiz will freeze for my punches!
“My power will send him to take a cold shower.”
Ortiz has re-emerged as a major heavyweight threat
A final eliminator would decide the mandatory challenger for the belt currently held by Usyk.
Usyk is expected to defend the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles in a rematch with Anthony Joshua.
Ortiz has challenged the WBC title twice in the past but was knocked out on both occasions by Deontay Wilder.
Ortiz recovered from the blows twice
They are the only two defeats in the southpaw’s 37-fight career.
Hrgovic is undefeated in 14 and was frustrated in his search for an opponent for a final elimination fight.
