Yunier Dorticos is looking to eventually make the jump to heavyweight.
A brief video posted on ESPN KnockOut's Twitter account stated that Dorticos wants to fight as a heavyweight after he is done competing in this season's World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament. Dorticos also called out WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, stating that he is not afraid of him.
"I have a message for all those heavyweights out there. At some point in the future, you will see the face of 'The KO Doctor' so beware. [Wilder's] ugly mug doesn't scare me. I've faced uglier guys than him," Dorticos said.
¡Exclusiva! "El Doctor del KO" Yunier Dorticos anuncia que asaltará el peso pesado cuando finalice esta edición de las @wbsuperseries (él disputa Semifinal de dicho torneo en peso crucero el 15 de junio contra @andrew_tabiti y se verá por #ESPNKnockOut en directo en ESPN LATM) pic.twitter.com/kzZknT1B9M
— ESPN KnockOut (@ESPNKnockOut) May 23, 2019
If Dorticos does intend on fighting at heavyweight, he becomes the latest cruiserweight from the inaugural WBSS 200-pound tournament to announce his intentions of moving up in weight. Previously, Oleksandr Usyk and Murat Gassiev, the finalists of last year's tournament, signed with Matchroom Boxing with plans to have their respective heavyweight debuts later this year.
But in the meantime, Dorticos' focus is on winning the second WBSS cruiserweight tournament. Dorticos is currently scheduled to face unbeaten American fighter Andrew Tabiti in the semifinals on June 15 in Riga, Latvia. The winner of that fight will take on the winner of the Mairis Briedis vs. Krzysztof Glowacki for the interim WBO cruiserweight title in the finals later this year.
