Luis “King Kong” Ortiz

Luis Ortiz si a Cuban professional boxer, born 29 March 1979.

He held the WBA interim heavyweight title from 2015 to 2016. Later, challenged twice for the WBC heavyweight title in 2018 and 2019.

As an amateur, he won a silver medal at the 2005 Boxing World Cup. Ortiz lost to fellow Cuban Odlanier Solis multiple times in the amateur’s.

Nicknamed “King Kong“, he is known for his formidable punching power and counterpunching skills.

As of November 2021, he is ranked as the world’s eighth-best active heavyweight by The Ring magazine and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.

Boxing Profile – Luis Ortiz – 3 Most Recent Fights

Ortiz vs. Daniel Martz

On 4 December 2017, it was announce that he would appear on a special Friday night edition of Premier Boxing Champions on 8 December at the Hialeah Park in Miami, Florida. His first fight in Florida in three years, against journeyman Daniel Martz in a scheduled 10-round bout.

Ortiz made quick work of Martz, knocking him down in the first round with a body shot. Then getting the knockout victory in round 2, sending Martz face-first to the canvas from a left hook to the head.

After the fight, Ortiz called out Wilder, who was sat near ringside, calling commentary and Wilder said to Ortiz, ”I guarantee you, you’ll have the fight.”

Ortiz vs. Wilder

On 19 December, negotiations resumed between Ortiz and Wilder. This time, a potential fight for Wilder’s WBC heavyweight title to take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on 3 March 2018.

According to RingTV on 30 December, an agreement was ready.

Terms were agreed on 12 January and the fight was officially announced on 23 January.

Wilder weighed his lowest since turning professional in 2008, at 214 pounds. Ortiz came in at 241¼ pounds.

Wilder overcame difficulty and got a knock over Ortiz in round 1. To retain his WBC title in front of a crowd of 14,069.

Referee David Fields kept a close eye on Wilder, who at one point, looked to be almost out on his feet, but managed to make it to the end of the 7th round.

Wilder then unloaded on Ortiz in round 10, who at that point looked tired. Later dropping him twice before the match was stop by referee David Fields.

The official time of the stoppage was at 2:05 of round 10.

Ortiz vs. Cojanu

On 7 July 2018, it was rumored that Ortiz would return in a 10-round bout on 28 July, on the undercard of the WBC and IBF lightweight unification fight between Mikey Garcia and Robert Easter Jr., against Joe Hanks at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Three days later, it was officiall that Ortiz would fight on that card. However, would instead fight former world title challenger Răzvan Cojanu.

Ortiz won the fight via knockout in round 2.

Ortiz used the first round landing clean right hooks and left hands to Cojanu’s head.

After being taunted a number of times in the beginning of round 2, Ortiz caught Cojanu with a right followed by a left hook to the head which sent him down face first.

Cojanu was able to beat the count but looked badly hurt.

The referee stopped the action at 2 minutes and 8 seconds.