Luis Ortiz
“King Kong”RECORD
34 - 3 - 0
KOs
29
A longtime member of the Cuban national team, powerful southpaw Luis Ortiz is ready to show that he’s the world's most dangerous heavyweight. Read Bio
Last Fight
Win vs Francisco Cordero
Jan 13, 2024 / Gimnasio Andres Gomez Hoyos, Cartagena, Colombia
Luis Ortiz WINS against Francisco Cordero by KO in Round 1 of 8
Videos
Latest News
Luis Ortiz News
Dec 30, 2021 /
Ortiz vs Martin, Luis Ortiz
Luis "King Kong" Ortiz: The Greatest Hits
A look at five of the finest performances from the hard-hitting Cuban southpaw as he prepares to face former world champion "Prince" Charles Martin Saturday, January 1, on FOX Sports pay-per-view.
Nov 8, 2020 /
Ortiz vs Flores, Luis Ortiz, Frank Sanchez
Luis Ortiz blows out Alexander Flores in One Round
The long-time heavyweight contender makes short work of his opponent Saturday night on FOX PBC Fight Night as he eyes the bigger names in the heavyweight division.
Nov 6, 2020 /
Ortiz vs Flores, Luis Ortiz
Luis Ortiz Warns the Heavyweight Division
The former world title challenger plans to make a statement to the rest of the heavyweight division when he faces Alexander Flores Saturday night on FOX PBC Fight Night.
Fights
Luis Ortiz Fights
Win vs Francisco Cordero 41-18-0
Jan 13, 2024 • Gimnasio Andres Gomez Hoyos, Cartagena, Colombia
Luis Ortiz WINS against Francisco Cordero by KO in Round 1 of 8
LOSS vs Andy Ruiz 35-2-1
Sep 04, 2022 • Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Andy Ruiz WINS against Luis Ortiz by UD in Round 12 of 12
Win vs Charles Martin 30-4-1
Jan 01, 2022 • Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida
Luis Ortiz WINS against Charles Martin by TKO in Round 6 of 12
Win vs Alexander Flores 18-2-1
Nov 07, 2020 • Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California
Luis Ortiz WINS against Alexander Flores by KO in Round 1 of 10
LOSS vs Deontay Wilder 43-4-1
Nov 23, 2019 • MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Deontay Wilder WINS against Luis Ortiz by KO in Round 7 of 12
Win vs Christian Hammer 24-5-0
Mar 02, 2019 • Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Christian Hammer by UD in Round 10 of 10
Win vs Travis Kauffman 32-4-0
Dec 01, 2018 • Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Travis Kauffman by KO in Round 10 of 10
Win vs Razvan Cojanu 16-3-0
Jul 28, 2018 • Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Razvan Cojanu by KO in Round 2 of 10
LOSS vs Deontay Wilder 43-4-1
Mar 03, 2018 • Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
Deontay Wilder WINS against Luis Ortiz by TKO in Round 9 of 12
Win vs Daniel Martz 16-5-1
Dec 08, 2017 • Hialeah Park Racing & Casino, Hialeah, Florida, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Daniel Martz by KO in Round 2 of 10
Win vs David Allen 9-1-1
Dec 10, 2016 • Manchester Arena (formerly M.E.N Arena), Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom
Luis Ortiz WINS against David Allen by TKO in Round 7 of 8
Win vs Malik Scott 38-3-1
Nov 12, 2016 • Salle des Étoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Luis Ortiz WINS against Malik Scott by UD in Round 12 of 12
Win vs Tony Thompson 40-7-0
Mar 05, 2016 • DC Armory, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Tony Thompson by KO in Round 6 of 12
Win vs Bryant Jennings 19-1-0
Dec 19, 2015 • Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Bryant Jennings by TKO in Round 7 of 12
Win vs Matias Ariel Vidondo 20-1-1
Oct 17, 2015 • Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Matias Ariel Vidondo by KO in Round 3 of 12
Win vs Byron Polley 27-18-1
Jun 20, 2015 • Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Luis Ortiz WINS against Byron Polley by TKO in Round 1 of 8
No Contest vs Lateef Kayode 20-0-0
Sep 11, 2014 • Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, The Joint, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Luis Ortiz Lateef Kayode by NC in Round 1 of 12
Win vs Monte Barrett 35-10-2
Apr 03, 2014 • Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Monte Barrett by KO in Round 4 of 10
Win vs Alex Gonzales 20-8-0
Nov 26, 2013 • BB&t Center, Sunrise, Florida, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Alex Gonzales by KO in Round 1 of 10
No Contest vs Joseph Rabotte 11-25-1
Jul 20, 2013 • The Outdoor Miage, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
Luis Ortiz Joseph Rabotte by NC in Round 3 of 10
Win vs Santiago De Paula 13-9-1
Nov 16, 2012 • Club el Millon, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Luis Ortiz WINS against Santiago De Paula by TKO in Round 4 of 10
Win vs Juan Carlos Antonio Maldonado 0-0-0
Nov 09, 2012 • Gimnasio Joan Guzman, Guachupita, Dominican Republic
Luis Ortiz WINS against Juan Carlos Antonio Maldonado by TKO in Round 1 of 6
Win vs Jose Santos Peralta 1-2-0
Oct 30, 2012 • Gimnasio Joan Guzman, Guachupita, Dominican Republic
Luis Ortiz WINS against Jose Santos Peralta by KO in Round 1 of 10
Win vs Walter Palacios 20-17-2
May 26, 2012 • Polideportivo Espana, Managua, Nicaragua
Luis Ortiz WINS against Walter Palacios by TKO in Round 2 of 6
Win vs Epifanio Mendoza 32-13-1
Feb 10, 2012 • Community Center, Palm Bay, Florida, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Epifanio Mendoza by DQ in Round 7 of 10
Win vs Frankenide Farias Mola 3-4-0
Nov 25, 2011 • Coliseo Carlos 'Teo' Cruz, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Luis Ortiz WINS against Frankenide Farias Mola by RTD in Round 2 of 10
Win vs Frank Mola 3-4-0
Nov 25, 2011 • Coliseo Carlos 'Teo' Cruz, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Luis Ortiz WINS against Frank Mola by RTD in Round 2 of 10
Win vs Arron Lyons 12-10-1
Aug 12, 2011 • Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Arron Lyons by RTD in Round 7 of 10
Win vs Henry Saenz 22-8-1
Jul 30, 2011 • Gimnasio Nacional, San Jose, Costa Rica
Luis Ortiz WINS against Henry Saenz by TKO in Round 3 of 11
WIN vs Luis Andres Pineda 22-9-1
Jun 17, 2011 • Arena Roberto Duran, Panama City, Panama
Luis Andres Pineda LOSES to Luis Ortiz by KO in Round 6 of 9
Win vs Jason Barnett 12-13-0
Jun 03, 2011 • A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa, Florida, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Jason Barnett by TKO in Round 1 of 6
Win vs Corey Winfield 4-7-0
May 21, 2011 • Rec Center, Wilson, North Carolina, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Corey Winfield by KO in Round 3 of 8
Win vs Bert Cooper 38-22-0
Apr 23, 2011 • Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo, Miami, Florida, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Bert Cooper by TKO in Round 2 of 10
Win vs Jerry Butler 8-10-1
Apr 02, 2011 • Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Florida, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Jerry Butler by TKO in Round 3 of 6
Win vs Ruben Rivera 3-5-0
Jan 28, 2011 • Double Tree Westshore Hotel, Tampa, Florida, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Ruben Rivera by DQ in Round 5 of 8
Win vs Francisco Alvarez 12-1-0
Dec 07, 2010 • Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Francisco Alvarez by TKO in Round 8 of 8
Win vs Zack Page 21-30-2
Oct 19, 2010 • Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Zack Page by TKO in Round 8 of 8
Win vs Kendrick Releford 22-13-2
Aug 24, 2010 • Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Kendrick Releford by UD in Round 8 of 8
Win vs Charles Davis 19-19-2
Jun 15, 2010 • Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Charles Davis by TKO in Round 4 of 6
Win vs Lamar Davis 4-1-0
Feb 16, 2010 • Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, USA
Luis Ortiz WINS against Lamar Davis by TKO in Round 1 of 4
Stats
Luis Ortiz “King Kong”
- WINS 34
- LOSSES 3
- DRAWS 0
- KOs 29
Weight 240 lbs (109.09 kg)
Height 6'4" (1.93 m)
Reach 78" (198 cm)
-
Born
March 29, 1979 -
Age
45 -
Country
Cuba -
Born in
Camaguey -
Trains in
Miami, FL
-
Stance
-
Rounds Boxed
181 -
KO Percentage
85.29% -
Boxing Hero
Fighter data provided by BoxRec Ltd. View disclaimer
Luis Ortiz Bio
One of the greatest Cuban heavyweights of all time, heavy-handed southpaw Luis Ortiz remains one of the most feared men in his division as he becomes to become the first ever Cuban Heavyweight Champion.
FIGHTING WITH PURPOSE
Cuban-born heavyweight Luis Ortiz was born on March 29, 1979 (39-years-old). He began boxing to support his daughter, who was born with a rare medical skin condition (Epidermolysis bullosa).
Ortiz defected in 2009 to get proper treatment for daughter. Was able to bring wife Lisdey, who was eight-months pregnant at the time, and daughter Lismercedes, 30 months later.
Ortiz currently lives and trains in Miami, with Herman Caicedo, as one of the most feared fighters in the heavyweight division.
Ortiz turned pro in February 2010 with a first round stoppage of Lamar Davis. “King Kong” lived up to his moniker, winning 12 of first 14 pro fights by stoppage.
Ortiz’s finest win occurred December 19, 2015, when he stopped former world title challenger Bryant Jennings in the seventh round to win an interim heavyweight title. In his previous bout, Jennings had gone the distance versus then-heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko.
Ortiz followed that up with wins over Tony Thompson, Malik Scott and David Allen in 2016, before knocking out Daniel Martz in 2017.
A NEAR-UPSET
On March 3, 2018, Ortiz challenged WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder in one of the year’s most memorable fights. Wilder dropped Ortiz in the fifth but the Cuban escaped further trouble and mounted a rally.
He had Wilder badly hurt in the seventh round, after clipping him with a right hook and then a straight left moments later. Wilder was seconds away from being stopped when the bell rang. Ortiz won the round 10-8 on all three scorecards. Ultimately, Wilder gathered himself and stopped Ortiz in the tenth.
Ortiz returned to the ring in July 2018 with a second-round knockout victory over Razvan Cojanu. He then stopped Travis Kauffman in the 10th-round of their December 2018 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
In March 2019, Ortiz comfortably outpointed Christian Hammer over 10 rounds, setting up the anticipated rematch versus Wilder on November 23, 2019, at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on FOX Sports pay-per-view. Again Ortiz got off to a hot start, but the champion's vaunted right hand found paydirt in the seventh, dropping Ortiz and putting him away in that frame.
"This is boxing,” said Ortiz, who slammed his glove against the top rope after the fight in frustration. “I said that one of us was going to get knocked out and it wasn't going to go 12 rounds. I was clear headed when I hit the canvas. When I heard the referee say seven, I was trying to get up, but I guess the count went a little quicker than I thought.”
Ortiz would bounce back on November 7, 2020, when he took on Alexander Flores in a FOX PBC Fight Night main event. Flores was no match for the Cuban heavyweight, who knocked him out in the first round with a body shot.
“I’m happy I won, and I did prepare to go rounds," said Ortiz. "This guy (Flores) went three rounds with Joseph Parker and fought back, he went four rounds with Charles Martin and fought back. There’s no excuse. Those other guys needed rounds to stop him. I want Andy Ruiz.
“He needs a fight, and it makes sense. I prepared for a championship-level fight, and the new conditioning paid off, because I felt more athletic and more explosive.”
AS DANGEROUS AS EVER
On January 1, 2022, Ortiz headlined a FOX Sports pay-per-view against former heavyweight champion Charles Martin at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The fight exceeded high expectations as both southpaws gave as good as they got.
In the first, a big left hand from Martin dropped Ortiz to a knee. The savvy Cuban rose and worked his way back into the fight only to be floored again, this time in the fourth by a hard right jab.
Then in the sixth round, Ortiz landed the left hand that ultimately decided the fight, connecting on a counter that immediately dazed Martin, who looked potentially out on his feet. Ortiz quickly followed up with a flurry and scored the knockdown, leaving Martin with his glove tied up in the ropes.
Martin was able to rise to his feet and looked to hold on with over two minutes left in the round, but Ortiz was relentless in his attack and eventually forced referee Frank Santore Jr. to wave off the bout 1:37 into round six. Despite trailing on all three scorecards coming into the final round, Ortiz landed an impressive 57 percent of his power punches in the fight, including 19 of 23 in round six, according to CompuBox.
"I maintained faith the entire time,” said Ortiz. “I knew I had my family and these fans behind me. I told everyone that this fight would be fireworks. He knocked me down, but then I finished him. I respect him a lot and now I’m coming after every heavyweight in line for the title.”
Unfortunately, Ortiz would come up short in his next bout, losing a close unanimous decisiont of former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. in September 2022. Ortiz gave a strong account of himself in defeat, rising from three knockdowns to outbox Ruiz for good portions of the bout and hurt him on several occasions.
"I told you I was going to be a warrior and that's what I did,” said Ortiz. “This is Cuba vs. Mexico. This is what I live for. To everyone who said that I'm old, I gave you a war today. There are always surprises in boxing, and that's what you got if you didn't think I'd give it my all.”