The Final Payday

The Final Payday

There comes a point in a boxer’s career when he needs to think about “what’s next?” Nonito Donaire, recently beaten badly by Naoya “Monster” Inoue, is at that point. Should he cash out with one more big fight or fight on and risk the consequences?

Brooklyn’s favorite Pole, Adam Kownacki, is clearly at the career juncture, to wit: Take a retirement fight and get out, or get out now?

Kevin “Kingpin “Johnson continues to lose in Europe and needs to find that last fight that offers him dignity and dollars. However, he remains a wily gatekeeper with a name. ‘When God tells me to hang them up, I will. But he hasn’t told me that yet so I’m still here,” says Johnson.

Russia’s Alexander Povetkin got his retirement Payday with a pair of dukes with Dillian Whyte.

Even Gennady Golovkin is at that point. A victory over Canelo paves the way to a life of luxury and comfort, but a loss will also do the trick.

Which brings us to Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Luis Ortiz on Sept. 4 in Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena in the main event of a PPV card.

Ruiz vs. Ortiz

Other than two KO losses to Deontay Wilder in WBC heavyweight title fights, the likeable Ortiz is undefeated, but his opposition has not been at the highest level and at his age (reportedly 43 years old) he is nearing the end of the line.

His last good run was against Bryant Jennings (19-1), Tony Thompson (40-6), and Malik Scott (38-2) during 2015-2016. Luis is big, strong and a southpaw. He still has technique, decent leg movement and a viciously sneaky uppercut

The younger Andy Ruiz (34) is reportedly coming in at top shape. If so, that spells big trouble for Kong.

“We didn’t come here to cherry-pick anybody,” Ruiz said. “We wanted a tough opponent and that’s why we picked Luis Ortiz. He’s strong, he’s awkward, he’s a lefty, but we’ve had a long training camp and we’ll be ready…”

Alexander Dimitrenko met Andy in 2019 and was brutalized until his corner stopped the slaughter after five rounds. The big Ukrainian/German stood 6’7”.

Ortiz’s most recent fight was on Jan. 1, 2022. He fought a wild one against Charles Martin. Both fighters visited the deck twice. “King Kong” prevailed but he showed visible wear.

If Ortiz fights like he did against Martin, Ruiz will maul him using his vaunted hand speed to generate power. It could be Dimitrenko all over again. And if it is, this should be Luis Ortiz’s last fight.

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