Reports have surfaced of Wilder possibly putting his green and gold belt on the line against the Cuban veteran, which could bring a fight with Anthony Joshua closer.
Hearn had planned to get Joshua’s mandatory bouts with Kubrat Pulev (set to be confirmed for this year) and Ortiz out of the way before setting up a massive battle with Wilder in the summer of 2018.
Wilder and Ortiz battling each other means one of the those contests could be chalked off and bring the Joshua fight forward by a few months.
“As I’m hearing it, Ortiz could fight Wilder which is a great fight. If he does, we’d like to fight the winner. AJ is up for fighting anyone,” Hearn exclusively told Sky Sports.
“It brings a unification fight closer, rather than waiting for next summer.
“We’ve got an IBF mandatory to take care of. Then we’ve got a WBA mandatory to take care of, which could be Ortiz.
“Two undefeated champions should meet in the ring as soon as possible. Both have commitments to finish, so next year is the time to meet,” he added.
Wilder v Ortiz and Joshua v Pulev are just the starters for what would be quite a main course in the first quarter of 2018, with the Briton eyeing up a huge Las Vegas headliner at some point.
‘AJ’ almost fought Wladimir Klitschko in the fight capital of the world, and a meeting with Wilder would once again throw up the opportunity of Joshua headlining in Nevada.
