Home Boxing News Luis Ortiz vows to fight on

Luis Ortiz vows to fight on

Cuban heavyweight Luis ‘King Kong’ Ortiz 32-1 (26) has vowed to box on following his seventh-round knockout loss to WBC heavyweight champion Deontay ‘The Bronze Bomber’ Wilder 42-0-1 (41) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night.

The 40-year-old Ortiz controlled the early action and was leading 59-55, 59-55 and 58-56 when Wilder landed a single right hand that put him down for the count during the seventh frame. The official time of the stoppage was 2:51.

“This is boxing. It was either him or me. The plan was to work, work, work. I stuck to the plan but then I got caught. I was effective. Like Wilder says, all he needs is a second,” Ortiz said.

“Everyone saw physically and mentally I was ready, but one shot is all it takes.

“I got caught. I slipped the punch wrong. I’m in shock and disappointed.”

The fight was a rematch of their March 2018 contest that saw Ortiz stopped in the 10th round of another closely contested bout.

Following the loss there was speculation that Ortiz would decide to hang up the gloves.

“Retirement is out of the picture. I’m going to take out my frustrations on the other heavyweights that want to challenge me,” he said.

“Anyone who thinks I’m old, well step up.”