Vergil Ortiz Jr could finally be in line to challenge for world honours after he was recently called out by a reigning world champion.
The unbeaten 27-year-old from Texas made the second defence of his WBC ‘interim’ super-welterweight title back in November when he stopped Erickson Lubin in the second round of their showdown at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
Ortiz had been in negotiations for an intriguing clash with countryman Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis next although these talks have now stalled after issues between Ortiz and his promoter Oscar De La Hoya.
With a showdown with ‘Boots’ no longer on the card, Ortiz could now turn his attention to a potential match-up with WBC super-welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora, who has expressed an interest in facing the unbeaten star.
Speaking to The Ring Magazine, Fundora admitted that he would be open to facing Ortiz later this year, a bout that could actually land on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez’s return to the ring in September.
“It would be great to fight on the Canelo card. I’ll be ready to fight again in September after the Thurman fight. There are all kinds of big opportunities for me to be in big fights. It can be against whoever, since there are all kinds of names.
“I’m going to fight these guys. I’m chopping down whoever steps up. I’m building a legacy. I’ll fight Vergil. I’m eventually going to get my hands on the Ring title, just like my sister Gabriella.”
Fundora is set to make third defence of his WBC world title later this month as he prepares to face former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday March 28.
