Although the March 2 Barclays Center card has yet to be officially announced, a co-main event bout is reportedly set for the event.
According to El Nuevo Herald, former heavyweight title challenger Luis Ortiz will fight on the card reportedly to be headlined by Erislandy Lara vs. Brian Castano for the WBA "Regular" junior middleweight title. Ortiz would fight heavyweight contender Christian Hammer at the Barclays Center, the site of Ortiz's failed bid in capturing the WBC title this past March when he lost to Deontay Wilder.
Ortiz spoke to the Cuban newspaper and said he loves fighting at the Barclays Center, but is still focused on one day getting the rematch against Wilder. Ortiz added that he wants to stay busy until he gets the opportunity to fight for the title once more.
"I love fighting in that place because I feel a unique energy and I fuel myself from the fire of the crowd. In there I was close to becoming champion and I hope to keep having success there. New York is a city of boxing. I have not forgotten nor will I ever forget that and I hope that life and God gives me an opportunity for a rematch. Until that moment comes, I'm ready to face off against whomever is out there. There are few who want to step into the ring with 'King Kong,'" Ortiz said.
The Cuban heavyweight has won his last two fights, both inside the distance, since the loss to Wilder. Ortiz is still a top contender in the sport's heaviest division, currently being ranked in the top five in the official WBC rankings.
