Luis Ortiz returns; Jarrell Miller asks for Kubrat Pulev chance; Lenier Pero vs Fabio Wardley

ORLANDO, Florida – Heavyweights Luis Ortiz and Jarrell Miller made fleeting appearances at the WBA convention in Orlando to put forth their cases for higher rankings with the sanctioning body. 

Cuba’s Ortiz, 34-3 (29 KOs) and currently ranked 12th by the WBA, will fight for the first time since January of this year on February 28 at Hialeah Park Racetrack in Hialeah, Florida. Luis DeCubas Snr requested that the 45-year-old Ortiz contend for a WBA belt should he prove successful.

Miller, who drew with the unranked Andy Ruiz in June to take his record to 26-1-2 (22 KOs) and is positioned one place below Ortiz at No. 13, asked the rankings committee to consider elevating his position to the extent he challenges “regular” titlist Kubrat Pulev.

“I’d like an opportunity to knock his mind out,” Miller politely said.

Pulev last week won the much-maligned title when he outhustled Mahmoud Charr over 12 rounds. The Bulgarian veteran’s team requested permission to make a voluntary defense, which it wants to announce in the next 2-3 weeks.

Lenier Pero, currently rated fourth by the WBA, was put forward for a potential eliminator, and Fabio Wardley, ranked sixth, was mentioned as a possible opponent.

Elsewhere in the banner division, requests were made for Charles Martin, former IBF boss, and Justis Huni to enter the top 15.