King Kong Ortiz Stops Charles Martin in Four Knockdown IBF Heavyweight Slugfest

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

Hollywood, Fl (January 2nd, 2022)–  In the main event of an 11 bout card at Seminole Hotel Hard Rock and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on Premier Boxing Champions, USA Fox Sports Pay-Per-View, Saturday evening, January 1, 2022, in an International Boxing Federation Heavyweight eliminator for the number two ratings position between two former world heavyweight champions, Luis “King Kong” Ortiz came off the canvas twice to drop Charles Martin twice and win by sixth-round stoppage in a four knockdown bombs away heavyweight slugfest.

 Ortiz, 33-2 with 28 knockouts, Miami, Florida, by way of Camaguey, Cuba, age 42, the former World Boxing Association interim World Heavyweight champion, came off the canvas in rounds one and four to drop Martin, age 35, the former International Boxing Federation World Heavyweight champion, twice in the sixth round and win, in probably the most exciting heavyweight slugfest since George Foreman came off the canvas twice to drop Ron Lyle twice and knock him out at Caesars Palace Sports Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 24, 1976 in a vacant NABF title bout which was the 1976 Ring Magazine Fight of the Year.

 Although the southpaw Martin moved side to side, Ortiz was able to time him with straight lefts and counter lefts. While the two knockdowns did give Martin two 10-8 rounds on two of the three scorecards, Ortiz landed 60 of 184 punches overall, to Martin’s 46 of 196 overall. Ortiz landed 41 of 72 power shots, to 37 of 91 for Martin. The sixth round proved the difference, as Martin got tangled in the ropes, and took a pounding before barely beating the count after he got knocked down a second time. “My message is for all of the heavyweights out there. If you want to fight for the title, you have to go through me.” While Ortiz, who will be 43 years old in three months, rejuvenated his career with his career best win over ex-champ Martin, Ortiz’ pursuit of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk could still prove frustrating given the ongoing nonstop politics of the heavyweight division.

 Result: Luis Ortiz TKO 6 Charles Martin, heavyweights (1:37)

International Boxing Federation World Heavyweight title semi-final eliminator for #2 rank

Ortiz down in first and fourth rounds. Martin down twice in sixth round.

Referee: Frank Santore Jr.

 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Undercard Results

 Frank Sanchez Win 10 Christian Hammer, heavyweights. 20-0 Cuban Sanchez had Hammer down in the tenth round. The 26-9 Hammer, Hamburg, Germany, was a substitute for Carlos Negron. Sanchez pitched a shutout 100-89 on all three scorecards. Heavyweight preliminary bout to the main event.

 Jonathan Rice Win 10 Michael Polite Coffie, heavyweights. Surprise! 15-6-1 Los Angeles heavyweight veteran Rice defeats the overhyped 12-2 Coffie, Kissimmee, Florida, for the second consecutive time. Much like Robert Helenius versus Adam Kownacki I and II, so much for those mismatch heavyweight rematches.

 Ali Eren Demerizen TKO 8 Gerald Washington, Heavyweights (0:27) In another heavyweight shocker, 15-1 Turkish fighter Demerizen, fighting out of Hamburg, Germany, behind on all three scorecards, stops world ranked contender 20-5-1 Washington, Vallejo, California, a former world title challenger.

 Victor Vykhryst TKO 2 Iago Kiladze, heavyweights (1:44). Bombs away on the undercard! 9-0 Ukrainian heavyweight prospect Vykhryst down in first and second round, 27-6-1 Georgian fighter Kiladze down in first and second round.

 Lenier Pero Win 8 Geovany Bruzon, Heavyweights. In battle of unbeaten Cuban prospects, 6-0 Pero decisions 5-0 Bruzon.

 Atif Oberlton TKO 2 Ernst Amuzu, Light Heavyweights. 5-0 with five knockouts, Philadelphia heavyweight prospect stops 26-6 Ghana veteran Amuzu.

 Frank Martin TKO 2 Romero Duno, Lightweights (2:54). 15-0 Indianapolis, Indiana lightweight prospect Martin dropped 24-3 Filipino Duno twice in round four.

 11-0 super featherweight prospect Maliek Montgomery, 5-0 heavyweight prospect Steven Torres, and 3-0 welterweight prospect Alayn Limonta were featured on the undercard.









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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].