Luis Ortiz Denies Approaching Freddie Roach for Help

Interim WBA heavyweight champion Luis Ortiz is back in training and could be taking the ring again in June if word of a possible fight with 7th ranked Alexander Ustinov in June comes to fruition.

The WBA has called for the fight to happen on or before Jun. 19 where the purse bid will be split 50-50. It however remains to be seen if Ustinov will take the fight, seeing the performance Ortiz churned out last month against Bryant Jennings.

Other than that, there is the question of the money involved. Already 39, Ustinov and camp seem to be more inclined to face fighters that can return big money. With that said, Ustinov seems to be more interested in facing fighters like Tyson Fury or even Deontay Wilder per Boxing News 24.

While that still remains to be resolved, Ortiz seems to be keeping his options open. The Cuban boxer is setting his sights on a possible world title shot and that ruling by the WBA may have complicated matters.

Ortiz is apparently hoping to get a shot at the winner of the fight between WBA regular champion Ruslan Chagaev and Lucas Browne.

Though Ortiz was pretty impressive, it seems that he could do well with more guidance and training from a legendary trainer like Freddie Roach. And on that note, Roach claims that he was given an offer to train Ortiz.

“I actually have an offer to take him on and I'm not so sure yet. Him and Rigondeaux both want to come together here. I like both guys, I like both fighters, I just don't know if I have time," said Roach via Fighthype.com.

And while Roach claims that the request is on the table, Ortiz seems to know nothing about it as reported on Boxing Scene.

Right now, Ortiz says that he has no information of Roach coming on board and that his focus is to hit the gym and be at the best physical condition he could possibly be right now. Ortiz started training back in Jan. 11 per Philboxing.com.

Right now, there is no official word on who Ortiz could be facing next despite the order to face Ustinov. Whoever he ends up fighting, Ortiz says he will be ready.

“I'm ready to fight the best or who is available, I have no concrete information about the Ustinov fight. But if later, my handlers reach an agreement to do it, I have no problems. I am here to fight and if it comes to Ustinov that's what we'll see," says Ortiz.