By Edward Chaykovsky

Top heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz (25-0, 22 KOs) is looking to make a statement on Saturday night, when he faces Malik Scott (38-2-1, 13 KOs) in Monte Carlo.

The fight will be Ortiz's first since leaving Golden Boy Promotions to sign a promotional agreement with UK-based Matchroom Sport.

Should Ortiz win without an injuries, he is scheduled to make a quick turnaround on December 10th in Manchester, as part of the undercard to Anthony Joshua's defense of the IBF heavyweight title against Eric Molina. 

After December, Matchroom wants to bring Ortiz back to the United States in a headline fight.

“I’m going to be very busy over the next few months and looking forward to boxing in many countries as we continue my journey to the heavyweight world championship. I am a very experienced fighter. I have had the best boxing education with more than 350 fights under my belt. I believe I have the ability to adjust to any fighter and any style. That was evident in my fights with Jennings and Thompson," Ortiz said.

Ortiz is hoping to secure a major fight by next summer - either against Joshua, Wladimir Klitschko or WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Joshua and Klitschko are penciled in to fight each other in March or April of next year.

“I want to fight the very best and I want to be the heavyweight champion of the world. I’m willing to fight anyone, any champion, any place, any time. I’m ready for anyone: Joshua, Wilder, Klitschko. I know I can beat all of them.

“I feel I have been at my peak for many years now. I have simply been late [arriving] on the US heavyweight boxing scene. I have been fighting since I was in elementary school. Boxing is a very, very deep passion of mine."