Luis Ortiz’ name has always been part bogeyman, part gatekeeper, but since fighting Deontay Wilder and coming up short twice, he seems to have fallen off of people’s radar, which is a shame. He’s a dangerous southpaw with a slick Cuban boxing style and a hammer left hand, so if nothing else, he’s great to watch. His opponent, Charles Martin, is a journeyman but a fun one, so this will be an entertaining fight.
Luis Ortiz: Ortiz has the nickname “King Kong” for a reason: he’s a destructive force in the ring. He’s got good footwork, solid boxing fundamentals, and very good power in both hands to back up all of that boxing technique. Where he tends to fall short is mostly on the branding side of things, though he does have some cardio troubles as well. Look for him to do what he always does: force his opponent into sticky positions with good footwork, and then brutally punish any mistakes.
Charles Martin: Martin may be a bit of a journeyman, but he’s still a solid puncher and a good gatekeeper. He’s relatively durable (only Anthony Joshua has knocked him out) and can certainly punch with the best of them. His main downfall is his lack of good competition. Of all the people he’s fought, the only two I’d rate at all are the two he’s lost to. Look for him to be game and give it his all.
Prediction: Ortiz by KO. Ortiz is, frankly, just a better boxer by a mile, and he’s got comparable power to Joshua, so I’m betting that Martin will fall here as well. I think Martin is a brave fighter, but bravery can only keep you on your feet for so long.
HOW TO WATCH: Live on FITE TV on January 1, 2022 at 8:00 PM ET.