In 2023 boxing has boomed across most weight divisions in one of the sports’ most successful years in recent memory.
However, it’s no secret that the heavyweights haven’t lived up to the expectation, with a series of collapsed negotiations and money issues, causing the likes of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz to be inactive so far this term.
Another man who has failed to get into the ring this calendar is the 44-year-old, two-time world title challenger, Luis Ortiz, who’s last contest was a close decision loss to Ruiz back in September of last year.
Before that, the Cuban did what the much-hyped prospect, Jared Anderson, couldn’t and stopped Charles Martin in just six rounds on New Years’ Day 2022 , but it’s now looking as if ‘King Kong’ will go two years without a win to his name for the first time in his career.
As Ortiz continues to age, time is running out for him to land a big-name opponent and possibly manoeuvre one last shot at the world title. In an interview with George Ebro, his trainer, Germán Caicedo, vented his frustrations at the lack of opportunities his man has had.
“I see fighters who say, ‘I can’t find an opponent.’ Like Tyson Fury who’s going to face Francis Ngannou. He didn’t call Luis. The same with [Anthony] Joshua, he has no opponent. He hasn’t called Luis either. They don’t call him. They want to erase him from the map. They want him to disappear so that he no longer bothers them. Since he debuted on the scene they have avoided him.”
“Luis is 44 years old, but he looks like he’s 33. He still pushes, beats people on the track. When you see that it makes you angry, because today’s heavyweights are cowards.”
Caicedo admitted that Ortiz has received offers from prospects and he may be forced to accept one if he continues to be swerved by the divisions’ top names.