Russell, the WBA junior welterweight titleholder, awaits a first defense against mandatory challenger Andy Hiraoka. The fight has not been finalized yet. Russell and Hiraoka were previously scheduled to meet last November before the fight was cancelled, leaving Russell without a confirmed date for his first defense.
“I beat him. It was a tournament in Georgia. I got hold of him, but I would like to see him professionally,” Russell said from Ortiz. “But first he has to get through Keyshawn. I have to get through this guy, Andy Hiraoka.”
Pushing back on the idea that a win over Ortiz would carry limited weight for Davis, Russell described Ortiz as an often underrated fighter.
“For you guys to say that Keyshawn doesn’t really have weight if he were to beat this guy, that’s a lie,” Russell said. “He’s a sleeper. This guy is a sleeper. He can fight.”
An Ortiz win would immediately change how he is positioned at 140 pounds, putting him closer to the title picture and directly into conversations with established belt holders.
Russell’s comments come days after he was ranked fifth in The Ring’s updated junior welterweight rankings released on January 15. Dalton Smith moved to the top spot after his knockout win over Subriel Matias, a decision that drew criticism from fans who questioned Russell’s placement given his recent work.
Russell still needs a date for his mandatory defense. Ortiz still has Keyshawn Davis ahead of him. Until those battles are settled, any further talk remains conditional.
