My Celebration of Luis Ortiz

Introduction


@Max Thunder

“If Whyte loses I'm not sure we will ever hear from you again, I'd never see my money and the ban would be meaningless (LOL). How about if Whyte wins I'll make a 1000-word celebratory Dillian Whyte thread (with no sarcasm) and if Povetkin wins you'll do the same about Luis Ortiz.”

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I am about 14 Months late and I genuinely forgot. None the less, I am a man of my word.


Luiz Ortiz... The Real King Kong

Nicknamed “King Kong”, the Cuban-born, hard-hitting Luis Ortiz currently holds a record of 32-2-0 in the heavyweight division. With notable wins over Bryant Jennings and Christian Hammer, the Cuban heavyweight has captivated die-hard boxing fans and casuals alike with his slick Cuban style.


Razor-sharp precision, lightning speed, and fluid combinations are just some of the qualities I would use to describe Ortiz' style. Attributes that have long become synonymous with light-weight Boxers fighting out of Cuba; but to see such capability on display from a 6 foot 4, 245 pound heavyweight is worthy of praise and throw-back to the Golden Era of Heavyweight Boxing. As such, Ortiz stands out today as one of the higher-skilled operators this division has to offer.

So where did it all start for King Kong? Read on.

The Amateurs

With a reported record of 314-19 as an amateur, it’s not hard to piece together how Ortiz came to be so polished as a professional heavyweight. Though he never quite reached top-level internationally Ortiz had been a long-standing member of the Cuban National Team, taking Silver at the 2005 Boxing World Cup and securing a victory over famed Cuban fighter Mike Perez.

The benefit of having a solid amateur background cannot be understated for today’s heavyweight line up; an over eagerness to turn professional too soon in a bid for money and fame can be detrimental to the skill development of a boxer, leaving them ill-equipped to maneuver the dangers that present themselves in the pro leagues.

While excuses can be dished out for heavyweight contenders that entered the game late such as WBC #1 Dillian Whyte, it’s clear to see how only seven amateur fights can serve as a hindrance to a boxer’s ability in executing sound footwork, technique and ultimately an ability to showcase their ring craftsmanship in a manner that befits a top-level boxing contender.

This is perhaps why heavyweights with extensive boxing pedigree like Ortiz are fan-favorites among boxing aficionados in particular, employing a style that’s efficient and easy on the eyes. Contrastingly, boxers with lesser pedigree like Dillian Whyte tend to fall victim to the receiving-end of stark criticism for their lack of finesse despite their best efforts to “learn on the job” as a professional.

Conveniently both Whyte and Ortiz have faced the same opposition in their professional careers, I’ll use this as a basis for comparison between two in the following section.

Professional Career

Ortiz turned professional in 2010, making a splash in his debut against Lamar Davis with a first round TKO. Twenty-four bouts later, the now seasoned professional Luis Ortiz challenged Matías Ariel Vidondo for the vacant WBA Interim heavyweight title. After winning the bout by KO in the third round Ortiz would go on to face his first true test in defending his recently acquired interim title against former world title challenger Bryant Jennings.

A bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Ortiz took centre ring in the opening round of the bout, establishing dominance early on and forcing Jennings onto the back foot. Initially unperturbed, Jennings fought fire with fire in countering the heavy onslaught being dished out by the Cuban menace. Ultimately, Ortiz’ power proved to be too much to bear for Jennings as he succumbed to the ropes visibly hurt before staggering around in a state of disarray. Jennings survives round one as the final bell rings but the Cuban King Kong is malcontent to relinquish his onslaught as he is ushered back into his corner by the referee.

After plenty of back-and-forth action between rounds two to six, Ortiz’ began to take back control of the fight in hounding Jennings with vicious combinations and an ominous grin.

Ortiz defeated Jennings via seventh-round TKO to retain his WBA interim heavyweight title. An impressive display of class and dominance by the Cuban given the repertoire of Jennings who just eight months prior had given a strong account of himself against Wladmir Klitschko. By handing Jennings his first stoppage loss, and now being ranked #1 by the WBA Ortiz had the division on notice.

Ortiz vs Jennings

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Following his successful interim title defence, Ortiz struggled to secure any further defences of the title with several match-ups and negotiations falling through due scheduling conflicts with opponents.

In 2016 Ortiz signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sport promotions in the hopes of getting back on track with a title shot and career progression. In his first fight under the new promotion, the Cuban King Kong resumed his rampage with a dominant performance over an evasive Malik Scott in a lack-lustre bout to secure the vacant World Boxing Association Inter-Continental Heavyweight title. Piquing the interest of several other heavyweights operating under the same promotional banner, David Allen dubbed the “The White Rhino” approached Eddie for a match-up with King Kong in a clash of beasts.

Allen was coming off a loss at the hands of the hard-hitting Jamaican Dillian Whyte; doing well to weather the punishment from the flat-footed albeit ferocious puncher Allen failed to live up to the prospectus set forth by his cult following at the time as the division’s newest instalment of talent.

Despite this, Allen had demonstrated himself to be somewhat durable and game; fancying his chances against the Cuban Ortiz Allen vowed to give King Kong the type of challenge that Malik Scott failed to deliver.

In a hugely one-sided affair Allen was outclassed and outgunned, losing the bout in devastating fashion with a seventh-round TKO defeat. Another masterclass showing by the Cuban who enthralled spectators with vicious combinations, lightning speed, and laser-like precision. I indeed have fond recollections of this bout in witnessing the match-up of a strong chin and valiant heart against an opponent that carried both the power and the proficiency to deliver that power reliably.

Ortiz vs David Allen

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There is no doubt, Ortiz has a fan-friendly style, and this contrasted with Allen’s previous loss to another hard-hitting heavyweight in Dillian Whyte. Put simply, Ortiz had the better victory over Allen, and that’s thanks largely to his extensive amateur pedigree that enabled Ortiz to deliver a high degree of ring craftsmanship, and to do so in style.

For comparison – Whyte vs David Allen

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With the above being said, lack of pedigree for a professional boxer is a hindrance and not the decider in how far a boxer can go in their professional career, at least where heavyweights are concerned.

Ortiz went on to challenge for the WBC title against the devastating puncher Deontay Wilder. After being gifted two title shots by the WBC Organisation, Ortiz failed to dethrone the lesser-skilled opponent suffering two knockout defeats. Outgunned but not outclassed, Ortiz put up a valiant effort. Ultimately, he could not find a way to deal with the potent reach and power of Wilder which was enough to tame King Kong.

I celebrate you Ortiz. May all future heavyweights aspire to be as slick and ferocious as you.