By: Hans Themistode
Luis Ortiz could feel a pair of strong hands on his back pushing him out the door.
Although the Cuban heavyweight believes he’s in incredible shape, he knows full well that many people believe he should give up the sport of boxing. However, at the age of 42, Ortiz still hopes that one day he will be able to fulfill his dream of becoming a world champion.
Despite two defeats to Deontay Wilder, Ortiz is only a few days away from re-appearing in the ring. On New Year’s Day, the multiple-time title challenger will face former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
While Ortiz has done his best to ignore the noise outside surrounding his need to hang up his gloves, the Cuban star has issued one final warning to anyone and everyone who believes that His time near the top of the heavy mountain is over.
“King Kong is ready to destroy anyone who thinks I should retire,” Ortiz said.
After Ortiz’s first defeat to Wilder in March 2018, the disastrous knockout returned to three consecutive wins before suffering defeat at the hands of Wilder again. Since then, Ortiz has appeared in a brief match against Alexander Flores in November 2020, registering his first knockout victory.
Cuban Nampaw will then spend his entire 2021 calendar on the sidelines. Yet despite his recent inactivity and despite his advanced age, Ortiz was only ready to hang up his gloves when the man upstairs instructed him to do so.
“I’ll quit boxing when God says I should.”
