Luis Ortiz overcomes two knockdowns to stop Charles Martin

Down twice, two-time heavyweight champion title challenger Luis Ortiz rallied to stop Charles Martin in round six at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fl.

Time was 1:37 seconds.

The battle of southpaws began relatively fast. Ortiz (33-2, 28 KOs) jabbed to the body. Martin, circling and circling, fired an overhand left that dropped a shocked Ortiz. Martin (28-3-1, 25 KOs) let fly with big shots in an attempt to end the fight but didn’t land solidly.

In round two, Ortiz fired double jabs. Martin punched back, but Ortiz stepped inside and countered. Former IBF heavyweight champion Martin jabbed in round three. Fortysomething Ortiz looked to time him - he did with a sweeping left.

Told to keep it simple by his corner, Martin jabbed and fired left hands. Ortiz connected with a left-hand shot. Martin landed a jolting jab in round four that floored Ortiz for the second time.

Ortiz got up smiling, but things were not going well for the big man from Cuba. His legs looked every bit as old as him.

Martin tested Ortiz in round five. Ortiz landed a combination and jabbed but ate a return left that knocked him back a step. Ortiz landed a blow at the bell. Out of nowhere, Ortiz fired a left that rendered Martin virtually unconscious on his feet in round six. Ortiz came in for the kill as a woozy Martin languished near the ropes. Several punches caused him to tumble to the canvas, his left glove caught in the ropes. Martin was up at seven. Ortiz let fly with several blows causing Martin to lose his balance and fall on all fours. Martin got up again, but referee Frank Santorum waved the fight off.

"I knew the fight would be fireworks,” said Ortiz.

I guess.