Win or get out: Luis Ortiz versus Charles Martin

Particulars: On New Year’s Day, 2022, from The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL. (FOX) ‘Prince’ Charles Martin vs. Luis “King Kong’ Ortiz heavyweights.

Background: This is a case of Charles Martin, 35, – a gatekeeper, and Luis Ortiz (whom some say without evidence is much older than 42) has only arguably become one, a victim of Deontay Wilder twice and Father Time.

In his two biggest fights, Ortiz gave Wilder hell. However, in the first bout, when Wilder threw him to the mat – without remonstration from the referee – I knew Ortiz lacked the self-belief to get it done. If he did, he would have thrown Wilder down immediately at the first opportunity.

Ortiz reminds you of that one guy at your school that everyone knows will have a chance at the big time and everyone knows will succeed/fail based on self-belief. Wilder had advantages – favorite of promoters and judges, but that can and has been offset historically by those with self-belief. At the eleventh hour, Ortiz didn’t see himself overcoming the minefield of obstacles to beat Wilder, though this writer believes he has the ability.

Martin’s goal has been to get into huge fights. He did vs. Anthony Joshua and was “smashed to bits” as they say in Ye Olde England. It was pathetic - after the second knockdown he suffered against A.J., he pretended to jump up at nine and a half, knowing full well he didn’t beat the ten count. That way Martin could look ‘aghast,’ at the ref as if he’d been screwed. Nobody fell for it. The guy simply wanted out RIGHT NOW.

Ortiz comes from the deep Cuban school and has a huge amateur pedigree – it shows (343-19). Martin won a PAL championship.

Fighters Grades: (Speed, Power, Defense, Reach, Age, Stamina, Experience)

Charles Martin: B- B- C B+ C- B- B- Total: C+ (2.5)

Luis Ortiz: B, B B B- C- B B+ Total: B- (2.8)

Reality check: It’s called prizefighting. I guess in 2021, Ortiz is fighting mainly for the prize, and Martin who never comes closer than maybe ‘ten’ in the top ten of heavyweights, is fighting exclusively for money.

Ortiz, though clearly on the back nine, has tons of experience and until recently, great skills, even if, as Fury jokes, he’s thousands of years old. Two years ago, he’d have dusted Martin within five.

Martin has poor head movement. A good straight left and a clumsy right. No

combinations other than a one-two. Slow feet. Is shockingly front-foot-heavy, which means when he gets hit in the head, he takes blows full-force.

Ortiz has bizarre timing, excellent reflexes, excellent left-right hand coordination with, for a left-hander, outstanding power in his right. His stance is wide. But it works for him rather than being a liability. I love fighters who come in sideways – in any weight class – which Ortiz does - reducing the target for an opponent.

The best that could happen is that Ortiz has one of those freaky, “Damn! Dude has never looked better” final days in the sun and knocks “‘Prince” Charles out of the sport.

Fight and prediction:

Hard to say. Ortiz has had weight problems. If he’s in shape and most of his tools are intact, he wins.

Luis Ortiz TKO Charles Martin between rounds 9-11.