By Ryan Burton

On Wednesday, BoxingScene.com's Rick Reeno broke the news that hard hitting Cuban Luis Ortiz (27-0) had brought powerful boxing adviser Al Haymon aboard to his team. Ortiz is promoted by Dade Promotions and managed by Jay Jimenez.

The 38-year-old southpaw went 3-0 in 2016, fighting once under Golden Boy Promotions before buying out his contract and then picked up two wins fighting on Matchroom Boxing cards to close out the year.

Reeno also reported yesterday that Ortiz's first fight with Haymon will take place on April 22nd on the Shawn Porter-Andre Berto televised undercard at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.  Veteran Derric Rossy (31-12) is being discussed as a potential opponent.

Ortiz's power coupled with his southpaw stance has made it tough for him to lure the division's elite in the ring with him.  Jimenez said that was one of the reasons why they decided to align with Haymon who also advises WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder along with contenders Dominic Breazeale, Gerald Washington, Chris Arreola, Izu Ugonoh and others.

"This isn't an easy task to manage a true pro boxer," Jimenez told BoxingScene.com. "Especially when you have a fighter that's a southpaw Cuban heavyweight and packs a punch. I've had a jigsaw puzzle but hey that's what I chose."

As for what is the plan after his April fight, Jimenez wants to remind everyone that the WBA has already ordered the winner of the April 29th bout between IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and former champion Wladimir Klitschko to face Ortiz.  The WBA previously announced that their vacant title would be on the line for both men after Tyson Fury dropped the belt.

"Look, Luis is in line to face the winner of Joshua-Klitschko for the WBA strap but I felt we needed a shoulder to lean on, you know a real backbone like having a godfather you know... and after giving this much thought and careful consideration and being in multiple conversations back and forth with Luis Decubas Jr, who works with Haymon, I really felt this was the best move for Luis Ortiz at this time for his future and career," Jiminez said.

"We have been in a battle from day one with Luis trying to get him opponents. Everyone talks a good game until we actually reach out to them for a fight and they ask for outrageous money to face him or claim they have other fights lined up so the road has been a little bumpy. I strongly believe Luis 'King Kong' Ortiz is one of the three most dangerous heavyweights in the world today.

"And if Al Haymon really puts his foot down, he will make King Kong a star in no time, hopefully before the year is out. Ortiz asks Haymon to line them all up, all those heavyweights he's got. King Kong wants to show everybody that he is here now and ready to go."

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