Shelestyuk wants to enter the ring with Ortiz

Ukrainian welterweight boxer Taras Shelestyuk (19-0-1, 13 KOs) said that he would like to fight the undefeated American Virgil Ortiz (19-0, 19 KOs).

"I would like to have a fight with Virgil Ortiz. McKinson gave Ortiz a good fight, but he doesn't have enough power to beat Virgil. With all due respect to Michael, he is not at Ortiz's level."

"Everybody wants to fight Crawford or Spence. They are both crooks. I'm a cheater too. Ortiz is a top-5 boxer, I am ready for a fight with him."

Shelestyuk planned to fight in December against IBO world champion Daniyar Yeleusinov (11-0, 6 KOs) from Kazakhstan. However, his opponent refused the match.

The Ukrainian also planned to hold a second fight against Gabriel Maestre (4-0-1, 3 KOs). In March 2022, the eliminator fight according to the WBA version between the Ukrainian and the representative of Venezuela ended in a draw.

Ortiz Jr., 24, holds the WBO International welterweight title. The American won all 19 of his fights by knockout.

Shelestyuk is the bronze medalist of the 2012 Olympics, the world champion among amateurs in 2011 and the bronze medalist of the European Championship in 2010. He has been performing in the professional ring since 2013.