Ortiz cant cycle off of the PEDS in time no other excuse not to take this fight. He fought 6 weeks ago.
Sadly that was my first thought when Kownacki turned it down also. Especially with him being training partner with Miller and having a similar pressure game reliant on stamina. I then wondered if they'd be engaging in private testing prior to making a decision, not sure if that's possible.
Miller 100% clean on VADA test one week prior, but then fails. Wants B sample, appeal, other tests made public. Hhhmmm maybe he decided to start doping halfway during camp? Please, its clear as day hes been spiked, hatchet job.
His licensed was revoked within hours of the news, as if they were waiting for it, and before he even had the chance to request to open his B sample, let alone use any logic or reason that all his other tests have been 100% clean. How do people just let this stuff slide? HATCHET JOB.
That is exactly my thoughts... you are almost weeding out the cheaters at this stage. Its either that or Haymon is locking guys down to ensure the viewing figures are bad to lowball AJ on the Wilder fight. Besides Fury, Wilder and Whyte and AJ's mando's of Pulev and Usyk. Their should not be any other Heavyweight in the World not prepared to take a $7m payday for a shot at the undistputed on 7 weeks notice.
And that counts double for a guy as ancient as Ortiz. For Kownacki the chance might come around again some day, but in likelihood this is the one and only shot for Ortiz. He's not close to mandatory status with any of the bodies, and Joshua will likely be locked up for the next 18-24 months with mando's against Usyk and Pulev, a potential Wilder unification (+rematch), and a probable Whyte rematch. Where does Ortiz expect to get another pay day like the one on offer here? The Wilder rematch? That's far from guaranteed to happen, let alone for a similar amount. Boogeyman my ass.
That would be the ideal scenario. We get to see Wilder fight Breazeale as a comparison and then Joshua fight Ortiz as a comparison. Would help build a fight between them both with all the debate surrounding both their performances.
Yep, Washington and Arreola both took the Wilder fight on short notice after the original opponents were popped for PED's and they did it for peanuts. But several million to fight Joshua has almost everyone looking the other way and making excuses.
I wonder if this will drag on for a while then, once they have satisfied themselves that they will test clear they will change their mind? They can still be training for it obviously.