Luis ‘King Kong’ Ortiz, Age 46, Kos Philip Penson in First Round
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Hollywood, Florida (September 22, 2025)– Cuban heavyweight Luis ‘King Kong’ Ortiz is back, 26 years after winning his pro debut in the first round over Philip Penson at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
Ortiz, 35-3 with 30 knockouts, Miami, Florida, by way of Camaguey, Cuba, knocked down limited ability Philip Penson, 8-5-3 with two knockouts, age 40, Orlando, Florida. Penson, a winner of only one of his last seven bouts, played the part of ‘an opponent who was available’ and the truth revealed itself in the mismatch. Penson went down three times. The first trip by Penson to the canvas was ruled a slip. An Ortiz left to the body sent Penson to the canvas for the second time in a corner, who beat the count. A left to the head sent Penson to the canvas for the third time, onto his back, where he took the ten count, knocked out.
At a career high of 267 pounds, Ortiz fought for only the second time since losing a 12 round decision to former World Heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz in September 2022. Penson scored a four-round draw with 1-15-2 Upstate New York club fighter Mike Diorio in 2024. If the best Ortiz’s latest opponent can do is manage a four-round draw with a 1-15 fighter, Ortiz is clearly worthy of better opposition. Inactivity has certainly put Ortiz, in a situation similar to former cruiserweight fighter Guillermo Jones, at a disadvantage for another world title shot after losing two WBC world heavyweight title opportunities with Deontay Wilder in the past, in a heavyweight division laden with young, hungry, and talented fighters.
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