On March 3rd 2018, Luis King King Ortiz lost the first  fight of his career against Deontay Wilder in a very exciting bout at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn NY. One year later to the date, Luis Ortiz beats Christian Hammer at the Barclays to get his third win in seven month and climb back as a top contender in the Heavyweight division.

Hammer and Ortiz let the leather fly in round one as these two giants went toe-to-toe. In the second round Ortiz did some good work to the body and put the fight in Cruise control. Ortiz boxed well and was stocking Hammer the entire fight. Hammer carried his power for all 10 rounds and was dangerous till the end. Hammer ‘s performance added his name as a contender for the big three (Joshua, Fury & Wilder) who wish to stay busy and make money but not take any chances. I don’t recall seeing a fight that- both fighters stood between rounds (everytime I see a boxer standing instead of sitting,  I can’t help but think of the great George Foreman).

I have always been a huge fan of Luis King Kong Ortiz – He has a big heart  – thats for sure. Thinking about King Kong and looking back at his career, I think of what could have been. I think of the great Sonny Liston and his great career and think of the lost opportunities of King Kong. In a perfect world he shouldn’t be chasing his first title at 40, if given the write opportunities, he might have already gone down as a legend and now be on the verge of retiring. I look forward to watching him compete even if his best days are behind him.

Photos Courtesy of Stephanie Trapp and Tom Casino.