“King Kong” Ortíz challenges the winner of Wilder-Fury

Miami. – The Cuban Luis “King Kong” Ortíz assures us that he has gotten over his defeat against the American Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder; that he is only awaiting the highly anticipated rematch, if both are to be victorious December 1^st, at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California.

However, it’s difficult to believe him, because that defeat has now become the thorn in his side that constantly pokes at his pride and has caused his greatest dreams to unravel on the professional stage. In that unforgettable battle, the southpaw Cuban was close, very close, to becoming the first world champion from his country in the Heavyweight division. But in the 7^th round of facing “The Bronze Bomber”, he was so cautious and hesitant in order to avoid the power punches from the North American, that he lacked aggression and the necessary killer instinct to finish his opponent off, who was close to being knocked out the round before.

Wilder, another man who possesses dynamite within his fists, had a moment of weakness, but later recovered and ended the Cuban’s dreams in dramatic fashion. Wilder, although he wasn’t having much success throughout the fight, was convinced from within that he is the best in the division, and he showcased the heart of a champion, dominating the action throughout the next three rounds. “The Bronze Bomber” ended the fight in the 10^th round, annihilating Ortiz and winning by TKO – he knocked him down a few times in that round and once before in the 5^th on March 3^rd, at the Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, New York.

Ortíz, who will turn 40 the 29^th of March, insists that there is no sense in dwelling on his past failure and that he is only focused on defeating Travis “My Time” Kauffman (32-2-0, 23 KO’s), a bout that will be the co-main event of Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (40-0-0,49 KOs) vs Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury (27-0-0,19 KOs). Ortíz believes that a victory should lead him to cross paths with the winner of the main event.  “Kauffman is a boxer that I respect, but he’s said that I am a dirty fighter, and a cheater,” stated Ortíz in front of the Miami media. “ I won’t stop against anyone in order to have an opportunity to fight for the world title.”

Ortíz, who stands 6ft 4inches tall, is coming off a dominating performance against the Romanian Razvan Cojanu this past July 28^th at the Staples Center.  In order to prevent the European from taking any more unnecessary damage, referee Jerry Cantú called a stop to the contest at 2:08 in the second round.

“(Facing Kauffman) I’m going to do my best job,” added Ortíz, alongside his trainer Germán Caicedo. “Knowing that Wilder and Fury are part of the spectacle adds fuel to my fire and I want to remind them that the winner has a moral obligation of facing me. I’m not going to ask them for the fight. Someone who deserves something doesn’t ask for it.  I deserve that opportunity. And the whole world of boxing knows it. Both fans and experts want to see the rematch with Wilder. It’s only a matter of time before it comes to be.”

When asked what his advice would be to Kauffman, Ortíz stated: “For him not to talk so much and to shut his mouth, in this sport one must be humble. When both of us are inside of the ring, then it’s time to talk with our fists.”

In his exposition, Ortíz assured that he’s had a great training camp and is in excellent physical condition, ready to showcase the level of boxer that he is. “I feel better than ever, and the public will witness what I am saying,” he said with a slight smile.

When referring to who could be the winner between Wilder and Fury, the giant Cuban responded with, “They are two crazy men fighting, so there will be a lot of action. I want to face whoever God gives the opportunity to, but I believe the American will win. He’s said that he will give me the rematch. I’m going to patiently wait for him.”

On the opposing side, Kauffman is coming off a win by majority decision against Scott Alexander, the 10^th of June in Lancaster, California. Two of the judges saw Kauffman win 96-94 while the other saw it a draw at 95-95. “Few people know that I broke my left foot a few weeks (before the fight) when I was running with NFL players. The doctors diagnosed it as a stress induced fracture,” said Kauffman. “But I don’t want excuses, I didn’t make any then and I won’t make any now against Ortíz.”

Fifteen months prior, Kauffman suffered the 2^nd loss of his professional career, by split decision against his compatriot, the 46-year-old southpaw veteran Amir “Hardcore” Mansour (previously know as Lavern Moore) on March 17^th of last year, at the Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania.

“Luís Ortíz is the second best heavyweight in the world next to Deontay Wilder, who I consider to be number one,” said Kauffman. “But I’m the hardest challenge Ortíz will ever face and this is my opportunity to prove it.”  Kauffman expressed that he would not reveal his game plan against Ortíz, but he is confident he will defeat him. “If not, I wouldn’t have accepted the fight,” he stated for Boxing News.

Even though he has always denied the conscious consumption of performance enhancers, a cloud of drug use looms over Ortíz. In September of 2014, after knocking out Lateef Kayode in the 1^stround, the Cuban boxer tested positive for banned substances.  Later, on September 22^nd of 2017, leading up to the fight with Wilder, he had another contaminated urine sample, which tested positive for Chlorothiazide and Hydrochlorothiazide.  “When you see various failed tests, you have to question his victories,” stated Kauffman. “But today’s problem is that nobody questions anything, because everyone looks at cheating as if it were the norm.”

Translated by E.G. for J.J. Alvarez of Boxeo.tv

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel

To comment on this article at The Fight Forum, CLICK HERE.