Jamaine Ortiz considers Shakur Stevenson if both win on January 31

The WBO does not wait long to fill vacancies. If Stevenson leaves, Ortiz could find himself facing another top 15 contender, not the name he wants. Beltless fighters need momentum and visibility; which is exactly what Davis is threatening to take from him.

Ortiz vs. Davis is not a showcase

Ortiz has looked sharper since learning hard lessons against Lomachenko – more patient, less wasteful. He boxed disciplined rounds against Antonio Moran and came away with a solid decision, but Davis brings different pressure. He throws combinations, doesn’t give a break and his left hand is heavy. Ortiz needs early pace and angles to take out Davis’ jab; standing still turns this into a training dogfight.

Ortiz said fighting with Turki Alalshikh in the building adds motivation. Quotes like that usually mean pressure, not focus. It’s the kind of night where small mental errors – late counters, missed blocks – turn a close round into a bad round. Davis is hungry and undefeated; these guys don’t fade when you touch them clean.

What happens if it goes wrong

If Ortiz loses, he’s out of the conversation completely – fringe contender status, waiting for a replacement call. If he wins but Stevenson advances, he’s in for an administrative title fight that won’t increase his stock. He’s looking for relevance more than gold right now, which is the harder quest.

Winning keeps him alive. That won’t move him forward until the biggest names in the division sort out their affairs.