Ortiz batters Thompson for six rounds

Sub Lead10-Mar-16by Rish ap_Wiliam

By John J. Raspanti

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WBA interim heavyweight champion Luis Ortiz (25-0, 22 KOs) knocked down aging heavyweight Tony Thompson (40-7, 27 KOs) three times en route to a sixth round knockout at the D.C Armory in Washington, D.C Saturday night.

Ortiz, with 362 amateur bouts under his belt, was last seen in the ring putting away heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings in seven rounds last year. He can box if he must, but prefers showing off the power he carries in his left hand.

Thompson, 44, who stopped prospect David Price twice in 2013, appeared to have unofficially retired after losing a decision to Malik Scott five months ago. He was languishing at home when the call came to fight Ortiz. Problem was he only had three weeks to get ready. Thompson predicted he’d knock out Ortiz.

Big mistake. Did he really think he was fighting another Price?

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Two minutes into the opening stanza, a sweeping left hook sent Thompson to the canvas. He got up, but quickly went into survival mode. Ortiz took his time and measured Thompson. The pace was so slow he didn’t have to work very hard. He popped his right jab (both boxers are southpaws) and looked to fire the left. Thompson backed away and pawed with his own jab.

Ortiz, nicknamed “The Real King Kong,” came out fast in Round three. He bounced on his toes and fired a combination. Thompson backed away and tried to punch. Ortiz ignored the blows. A right-left knocked Thompson back a step.

Thompson needed to do something to keep Ortiz off of him. To do that, he’d have to take chances. Ortiz, who stands 6’4"-- reminded him of his dilemma by connecting with a heavy shot. Thompson toppled and fell for the second time. The gutsy veteran righted himself and moved away.

Ortiz tried even harder for a knockout in Round four. Thompson rolled with most of the punches, connecting with some blows of his own, but Ortiz didn’t blink.

Thompson poked out his jab in Round five. He was tired and beaten, but still, he wouldn’t submit. Ortiz worked him over like a bouncer having a good time.

The fight mercifully ended in Round six. Ortiz’s straight left hand crashed off the side of Thompson’s head. The 264-pound, 6’5" Thompson went down hard and couldn’t beat the fatal ten count.

The time was 2:29 of Round six.

“You still haven’t seen the best of me; you have not seen the best of ’King Kong’," said Ortiz through a translator. "I am ready for anyone in the ring any time."

“He is strong as advertised,” said Thompson.

Yes he is. He might just be the strongest fighter in the heavyweight division.

Yes he is.