Heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz signs with British promotional company Matchroom Sport

Luis Ortiz left a lot of members of the boxing industry scratching their heads when he left Golden Boy Promotions in August.

After all, Oscar De La Hoya and company had built the unknown Cuban heavyweight into a contender fans cared about, with consecutive headline slots on HBO.

But Ortiz and his team were unsatisfied, and they negotiated a seven-figure buyout from the Golden Boy contract. The 37-year-old had been searching for a promoter, and on Saturday, Eddie Hearn's England-based Matchroom Sport announced it has signed Ortiz to a deal.

"I always had faith in my manager and friend Jay Jimenez but I never expect this fast turn around and I'm so excited about the future," said Ortiz, who becomes Matchroom Sport's first fighter who resides in the U.S.

"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."

Hearn said that Ortiz (25-0, 22 KOs) will return in November and that the details will be announced Monday. The power-punching southpaw is expected to fight Carlos Takam on Nov. 12 in Monte Carlo.

Hearn promotes British star Anthony Joshua, who holds the IBF heavyweight strap, and it's now feasible he could clash with Ortiz some time next year.

"Luis Ortiz is one of the most exciting heavyweights in the world and I am delighted to be working with him," Hearn said. "We plan to keep him very busy and let the fans enjoy his devastating power. Luis is an avoided fighter but we plan on giving him the profile that will make that impossible.

"I'm very excited to work with our first international fighter as we continue to expand into new markets."

Ortiz hasn't fought since an April knockout victory of faded former contender Tony Thompson, which followed a career-best victory over Bryant Jennings.

(Photo of Luis Ortiz, at top, by Hoganphotos)