Ortiz to defend WBA Interim Heavywight crown against Jennings on Dec. 19

Fresh off his 3rd round stoppage over Matias Vidondo, Luis Ortiz will jump right back in the ring on December 19 when he takes on Bryant Jennings at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York and televised on HBO Boxing After Dark.

Top Rank has the opening fight on the telecast (10:15 p.m. ET/PT) and made a 10-round junior lightweight bout between former featherweight titlist Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters, who is moving up in weight, and big puncher Jason Sosa.

“With a mix of speed, power and amateur pedigree that is second-to-none, Luis Ortiz has quickly established himself as a force in the heavyweight division,” said Ortiz promoter Oscar De La Hoya. “Luis is so hungry to continue his rise in the division that he has agreed to fight an enormously talented opponent in Bryant Jennings just two months after Luis’ destruction of Matias Vidondo.”

Said Jennings promoter Gary Shaw, “It’s my pleasure to bring another great heavyweight showdown to the boxing fans, with Bryant Jennings taking on an undefeated fighter like Luis Ortiz. The fans know that I have always, and will continue, to put on real, competitive fights.”