Luis Ortiz vs. Alexander Flores - November 7, 2020

[Enlightened-One]

I hope there’s an upset and Luis Ortiz gets KO’d.

I’m not sure if there’s ever been a heavyweight so undeserving of an absurd amount of hype the Cuban has had bestowed upon him.

[margaret thatcher]

I called an ortiz hater because i said his resume wasnt that good, he sure has or at least had his little cult

[gregregegg]

Ortiz is an interesting one, defiantly avoided, definatly good, But geeze his resume is thin. Best win is Jennings... second best win? an old worn out malik scott? a mid 40s tony thompson? unfit Dave allen? the always mundane Christian hammer? Because those are his top 5 wins, and if that is your top 5 wins by 40 (50) then hard to be considered a world beater.

Then people talk up his armature carrer, witch ill admit i dont remember at all, but it can be summed up by his wikipeidia quote of "Ortiz was a longtime member of the Cuban national team without succeeding at the top international level."

If Ortiz is as good as some fans suggest, he has had the most wasted carrer of all time. Still, knocks out scott alexander though...

[margaret thatcher]

on another forum i read occassionally they were all convinced that beating ancient thompson in thompsons last fight is better than anything povetkin and pretty much everyone else has ever done

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

We are boxing fans. Ortiz was clearly world class. But he made dumb decisions and wasted his prime. A thousand like him. Wasted talent

Hope hes knocked silly

[oogiebe]

on another forum i read occassionally they were all convinced that beating ancient thompson in thompsons last fight is better than anything povetkin and pretty much everyone else has ever done

I don't remember that!

[margaret thatcher]

it wasnt this forum. it was funny cuz someone (who proceeded to get gang raped) pointed out that pov actually ktfo a guy who 10-2'd thompson like 3 yeears earlier, but apparently ort beating thompson was still the best result lol

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Povetkin has a great resume. I thi k man to man prime to prime ortiz vs povetkin is a great fight but povetkin has had a great career

Whyte
Byrd
Chambers
Hunter
Takam
Chagaev

All better than jennings. Id equate jennings with larry donald, whom povetkin also beat

[margaret thatcher]

ya but that great win over thompson though

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

ya but that great win over thompson though

At that point on his career id equate Thompson with rahman, whom povetkin had a win over!

[Enlightened-One]

Ortiz is an interesting one, defiantly avoided,

Ortiz turned down multiple paydays... and his team have NEVER made an offer to any of his world rated peers.

A fighter can only be accused of ducking if they reject an offer they received.

And there is no evidence whatsoever of Ortiz’s handlers EVER making an offer to any of the Cuban’s rivals. It simply hasn’t happened.

The “everyone is ducking the fearsome Luis ‘King Kong’ Ortiz” mantra is simply fictional nonsense! It NEVER happened.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Luis Ortiz vs Alexander Flores to headline November 7th PBC on FOX

With Andy Ruiz Jr. out of action until next year, Luis Ortiz will now headline the November 7th PBC on FOX show previously lead by Ruiz vs Chris Arreola. Though he and others claimed last month that “King Kong” would face Scott Alexander, Mike Coppinger now reports that he’ll take on California’s Alexander Flores.

The card will reportedly take place at Microsoft Theater in LA. Another source, who describes himself as “sometimes reliable” and broke the initial news before Coppinger, claims that it will also feature heavyweight prospects Frank Sanchez and Michael Coffie against Brian Howard and Joey Abell, respectively.

I...guess Flores (18-2-1, 16 KO) is a better opponent than Alexander, if only because he’s lost to more notable opponents. Bearing the curse of all sporting Alexanders, the nickname “The Great,” he lasted a combined seven rounds against Charles Martin and Joseph Parker. At least he tends to beat cans with winning records.

Ortiz (31-2, 26 KO) should demolish him with ease. California shouldn’t sanction it.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Top heavyweight contender Luis "King Kong" Ortiz will headline a stacked night of heavyweight action when he takes on Alexander "The Great" Flores in the 10-round main event of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes Saturday, November 7 from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see rising unbeaten heavyweight contender Frank "The Cuban Flash" Sánchez battle Brian Howard in the 10-round co-main event. Plus, undefeated Michael Coffie steps in to face hard-hitting Joey Abell in an eight-round heavyweight duel.

The event will be promoted by TGB Promotions and will take place without fans in attendance at the Microsoft Theater, an AEG venue, in downtown Los Angeles.

"Sports fans love the power and drama of the heavyweight division and this lineup on November 7 will provide both in droves," said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. "'King Kong' Ortiz has long established himself as an upper echelon heavyweight, and he will look to work his way back to another title shot against the hungry and game Alexander Flores. With unbeaten heavyweights Frank Sánchez and Michael Coffie in separate bouts on the undercard, this show is built for action from start to finish."

With exceptional power and sublime technical skills, Ortiz (31-2, 26 KOs) has been a fixture atop heavyweight rankings for years, with his only defeats coming in memorable contests against former longtime heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Born in Camaguey, Cuba and trained by longtime coach Herman Caicedo in Miami, Ortiz won three bouts between Wilder contests, defeating Travis Kauffman, Christian Hammer and Razvan Cojanu. Prior to that run, Ortiz picked up victories over the likes of Bryant Jennings, Tony Thompson and Malik Scott to build up his heavyweight resume.

"I can't wait to get back in the ring and put on a great performance for all my fans," said Ortiz. "I've been training hard and I'm going to show why I'm still one of the most dangerous and avoided heavyweights around. Credit to Flores for stepping up to the challenge, but I'm planning on making a statement November 7 on FOX."

The 30-year-old Flores (18-2-1, 16 KOs) will return to action after his last outing saw him stop Mario Heredia in the sixth-round of their November 2019 affair. Fighting out of his native Rowland Heights, California, Flores has fought professionally since 2010, and has scored knockouts in his last 14 victories. The only blemishes on Flores' record have come against former heavyweight champions Charles Martin and Joseph Parker.

"When I got the call for this fight, I immediately said yes and I was ready to go," said Flores. "I'm always in shape throughout the year, so now we're just sharpening the tools for November 7. Ortiz is coming off of a big fight, and I'm preparing for the best Ortiz we've ever seen. I don't know if he's overlooking me, I just know that I'm going to be ready to take advantage of a life changing opportunity.”

An amateur standout from his native Cuba, Sánchez (15-0, 11 KOs) now trains in San Diego with coach Eddy Reynoso. The 28-year-old added four victories to his ledger in 2019, including a stoppage of Puerto Rican Olympian Victor Bisbal. His 2020 debut saw Sánchez dominate tough contender Joey Dawejko in March on FOX on his way to a unanimous decision victory.

"I look forward to my return so that I can again showcase my skills and make the case that I am a future heavyweight champion," said Sánchez. "Brian Howard is a very dangerous opponent, but I am even more dangerous. My trainer Eddy Reynoso is preparing me for a spectacular win. I'm a proud Cuban fighting in America in front of millions of people on FOX. It is a dream come true, but only half of the dream. The job will be complete once I become the heavyweight champion of the world."

Howard (15-3, 12 KOs) made his heavyweight debut in style in August, scoring an impressive first-round knockout over Puerto Rican Olympian Carlos Negron. Fighting out of Atlanta, Georgia, Howard also owns knockout victories over previously unbeaten fighters Shawndell Winters and Alex Guerrero. Howard has won five of his last seven fights since returning from a layoff in 2015.

"I'm really looking forward to this opportunity on FOX against Frank Sánchez," said Howard. "I've been training very hard to be at my best for this fight. I know that I'm going to come to California and be victorious on November 7."

A Marine Corps veteran who picked up boxing after returning from overseas, Coffie (10-0, 7 KOs) quickly impressed in amateur tournaments enough to earn sparring assignments with Deontay Wilder and Adam Kownacki. The 34-year-old was born in the Bronx, but now fights out of Brooklyn. Coffie most recently emerged victorious in a battle of unbeatens when he stopped Luis Pena in the fifth round of their August matchup on FS1.

"This is going to be a great fight against a really good opponent," said Coffie. "This is the first step toward getting to where I want to be. Abell is a very credible opponent, and a win will justify me being able to fight higher ranked contenders in the heavyweight division. I can't wait to go out and put on a great performance on November 7."

Born in Neenah, Wisconsin and fighting out of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Abell (35-10, 33 KOs) has faced an impressive lineup of top heavyweights while establishing himself as a tough veteran in the division. Abell has lined up against Tyson Fury, Tomasz Adamek, Oscar Rivas and Chris Arreola to name a few of his notable opponents. Abell owns a knockout victory in 2016 over then unbeaten Wes Nofire on FS1 and most recently stopped Quincy Palmer in the first round of their November 2019 contest.

"I'm blessed to get such a great opportunity to fight on this card," said Abell. "It's been a tough year for everyone but I'm looking forward to ending mine on a positive note. I've been training like never before. On November 7, I'll be ready for war."

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week!

[DrDuke]

Pointless crap as well as the bout of Frank Sanchez. Ortiz and Sanchez just could fight each other instead of beating up nobodies on the same card.

[Enlightened-One]

I hope Luis Ortiz loses.

I know he won’t, because he’s engaging in a mismatch against a journeyman. But I really do hope he loses.

He somehow still possesses a “fearsome” reputation, which really irritates me, because he hasn’t beaten anybody of any note for almost five years.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Pointless crap as well as the bout of Frank Sanchez. Ortiz and Sanchez just could fight each other instead of beating up nobodies on the same card.

That's something I always hate..

Two guys on the same card, who could just be fighting each other, insead fighting nobodies, who they'd beat in a few rounds.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Luis Ortiz: Whoever Says I'm Old, I'm Finished - Face Me in The Ring

Luis Ortiz knows that Alexander Flores wants to upset the odds on Saturday night.

The 'King Kong' of Cuba is part of the elite in boxing's biggest division and perhaps some view him as the gateway to potential fights with world champions. But he doesn't want anyone to enter those prominent places.

Flores will try to add Ortiz's name to his list of triumphs when the two clash in the main event of a FOX televised card, which is being promoted by Premier Boxing Champions from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, where another Cuban, Frank Sánchez, will also participate in the co-feature.

For Oritz, he returns for the first time since the knockout loss to then WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in November.

"I know that [the opponent] will always come to win. From the moment that I decided to be a fighter, I also have that on my mind. I'm always going to prepare like it's a world title fight. I'm ready and he will know that on the 7th, when the bell rings," Ortiz told George Ebro.

"I don't think [Flores] is in a position to defeat me, because I have prepared very well. 'What I want most is that there are fighters like [Flores], who think like him [and agree to fight me] and not like the majority who avoid each other. If you have the desire to fight, to be a champion, then you must fight with the best, as it was in the past, but it is difficult to achieve that in modern boxing.

“It has been difficult for me [to get ready for this fight], very difficult. I've had to train a lot at home, run where I can find a space, go to the gym a bit. My coach Germán Caicedo has always been very careful with me and so we have been progressing little by little in this camp.

“This fight is a farewell to the year for me, but in 2021 I hope that new opportunities will come for Luis Ortiz. Whoever says I'm old, that King Kong is finished, I suggest you climb into the ring with me and draw your own conclusions."

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Alexander “The Great” Flores previewed his showdown against top heavyweight contender Luis “King Kong” Ortiz on a media conference call Tuesday before they headline FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes this Saturday, November 7 from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see rising unbeaten heavyweight contender Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sánchez battle Brian Howard in the 10-round co-main event. Plus, undefeated Michael Coffie steps in to face hard-hitting Joey Abell in an eight-round heavyweight duel.

The event will be promoted by TGB Promotions and will take place without fans in attendance at the Microsoft Theater, an AEG venue, in downtown Los Angeles.

ALEXANDER FLORES

“Training camp has been going really well. I’m always in shape year around. We were already aiming for a November fight, so when this fight against Ortiz presented itself, we jumped on it. We’re ready to take advantage of this opportunity.

“I got the call about Ortiz over six weeks ago. I just had to adjust to southpaw sparring but everything else kept going smoothly. It was tough to find sparring during the pandemic, but I was blessed to find some great quality southpaws to work with.

“Ortiz is a great fighter. He’s still one of the most feared men in the division. A lot of the people on his level don’t want to fight him. His only losses coming against Deontay Wilder says everything about his quality.

“Whenever you fight at that caliber that Ortiz has been at, I know you’re going to know what you need to do in training. But, the older you get, the harder it is to recover. It doesn’t get easier. Maybe his age will show up Saturday night.

“I thought Ortiz was beating Wilder in the second fight. I think he just relaxed at the 10-second mark and got caught with that straight right hand at the end of the round.

“I do think it’s possible I’m being overlooked by Ortiz. I’m just focused on what I can control. I know that one day I might not get these opportunities anymore, so I have to jump all over this one.

“Beating Ortiz will put me up with the top heavyweights. I think a win is going to definitely lead to a world title fight sooner rather than later.

“I’m expecting the best Luis Ortiz on Saturday night. I’m preparing for the same guy who was beating Deontay Wilder twice.”

[jujigatame]

This matchup is a joke. Sanchez has a better opponent for his undercard fight. Not even gonna bother to DVR this crap.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Good to see ortiz stepping up. What a warrior

[Enlightened-One]

“Next year I would like to be in the mix with the other [elite] heavyweights and I think I deserve to be,” Ortiz told Ring. “Anthony Joshua is a pussy, and is afraid to fight me."

First of all, Luis Ortiz needs to face better opposition than the journeymen he keeps being matched-up against in order to be considered an elite level heavyweight.

Ortiz hasn't beaten a credible opponent within the last five years.

And second, how on earth can he label AJ as being a "pussy", when Luis Ortiz openly admitted to rejecting a career-high payday to face the Brit?

The man is utterly deluded, and I hope he suffers a first-round KO loss in his next fight.

[joshj909]

The man is utterly deluded, and I hope he suffers a first-round KO loss in his next fight.

Me too. I've kind of had enough of him. What's the point of him at this age boxing if he's just waiting for AJ who has other things on his plate, he's already lost to Wilder twice and he claims everyone else is ducking him while only boxing against terrible opponents. Look at what Povetkin has been doing at the same age* and making a lot more money from it. He's trying to take the Pulev route but has already nearly lost his shot once then lost two title fights recently. If he's not planning on facing any other top 10 opponent then I'd rather he lose dramatically and then retire.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Weights

Luis Ortiz 241.6 vs. Alexander Flores 231.8

Frank Sanchez 227.6 vs. Brian Howard 210

Michael Coffie 267.8 vs. Joey Abell 250.8

Steven Torres 252.8 vs. Joshua Tuani 227.6

Carlos Negron 246 vs Rafael Rios 249.4

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ortiz: I Should've Been Allowed To Continue In My Rematch With Wilder; I Got Up

Luis Ortiz readily gives Deontay Wilder credit for making an adjustment that led to him landing the right hand that abruptly ended their rematch almost a year ago.

The Cuban contender just wishes referee Kenny Bayless would’ve given him a chance to finish the seventh round and recover on his stool before the eighth round began. Ortiz led Wilder on all three scorecards – 59-55, 59-55 and 58-56 – when Wilder’s well-timed right hand dropped Ortiz late in the seventh round last November 23 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Ortiz slowly got up, but Bayless stopped counting at nine and waved an end to their battle because he determined a disoriented Ortiz shouldn’t continue. Their scheduled 12-round rematch ended with nine seconds remaining in the seventh round.

The 41-year-old Ortiz (31-2, 26 KOs, 2 NC) will fight for the first time Saturday night since Wilder knocked him out in their second encounter. Ortiz is focused on facing underdog Alexander Flores (18-2-1, 16 KOs) in a 10-round main event FOX will broadcast from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, yet he cannot help but wonder what would’ve occurred had their rematch continued late in that seventh round.

“I feel the fight should’ve been allowed to continue,” Ortiz told Boxing Scene through a translator. “I got up. Regardless if I was wobbly or not, they should’ve given me the same opportunity they afforded Wilder in our first fight, when I had Wilder on Queer Street. They were giving him every opportunity to recover, to get better, to fight through it. And they didn’t give me that opportunity. I feel I should’ve gone out on my shield and not been stopped that way.

“I would’ve rather completely been knocked out, rather than saved by a referee who didn’t give me an opportunity, especially if I’m winning every, single round. It was one knockdown in the heavyweight business. I was in shape. I probably would’ve recovered. It was close to the end of the round.”

Ortiz alluded to referee David Fields affording Wilder the chance to fight through trouble during the final 40 seconds of the seventh round of their first fight in March 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Ortiz buzzed Wilder with a left hand, but Wilder recovered during the eighth and ninth rounds and floored Ortiz twice in the 10th round.

Fields stopped that fight following that second 10th-round knockdown, which marked the third time Wilder dropped Ortiz in their initial meeting. Ortiz feels Fields should’ve allowed him to continue as well, though he also acknowledged that he has to accept the results of his two fights with Wilder and move forward with his career.

“It’s spilled milk, so there’s no point in discussing what would’ve, could’ve, should’ve happened,” Ortiz said. “It didn’t happen over the course of 17 rounds and it is what it is. So, I’m looking forward to the future. If Wilder is part of that future one day, we’ll discuss that again. But until then, I’m looking forward to a future where a championship is at stake again.”

Ortiz is surprised Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) lost his rematch to Tyson Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) in the way Fury defeated him in Wilder’s following fight three months later. The strong southpaw still respects what Wilder did toward the end of their own rematch.

“You’ve gotta give credit to Wilder as well,” Ortiz said. “He was able to make a little bit of an adjustment to what I was doing. He relaxed me a little. I lost focus for a split second and Wilder capitalized. But again, it’s the heavyweight business and it just takes one punch.”