Via Huck Allen: Luis Ortiz injured his hand during his sixth round knockout win over heavyweight champion Charles Martin last Saturday night to prevent him from facing Filip Hrgovic in the title elimination match. Final.
Unless he says otherwise, Joseph Parker (30-2, 21 KOs) could face Hrgovic (14-0, 12 KOs) in the IBF title knockout to decide the must-have Oleksandr Usyk.
42-year-old men’s tennis player Ortiz (33-2, 28 KOs) had a tougher time than expected when he beat Martin last Saturday night in their first match on the FOX PPV at the Hotel and Seminole Hard Rock Casino, Hollywood, Florida.
Luis Ortiz quit twice
Twice Ortiz was knocked down by Martin 6’5 ″ even though he was never injured. The kills were due to Ortiz being hit by a bullet that the 6’4″ Cuban did not see. Ortiz was on his feet and showed no sign of injury on either occasion.
Furthermore, Ortiz showed no sign of wounding one of his arms, but he probably injured it when he finished off Martin in the sixth round. Ortiz unleashed a series of decisive punches after injuring Martin with his left hand with lead.
It’s a pity that Ortiz had a hard time battling former IBF heavyweight champion Martin (28-3-1, 25 KOs) and then couldn’t make it to the final elimination bout against Hrgovic after rallying for the win. .
Charles Martin to try one more time
“We are ready to take it; Luis definitely wants one more title,” Ortiz manager Jay Jiminez told Sports sky.
Hrgovic’s coach Nisse Sauerland told Sky Sports that Ortiz was unable to participate in the match due to a hand injury.
“Retirement is not a consideration,” Martin’s manager Mike Borao told Sky Sports.
“Charles won the fight comfortably and was caught with a perfect punch. As history shows, it can happen to anyone.
“There are so many options available to Charles that could reverse his career trajectory overnight – Deontay Wilder, Andy Ruiz Jr, Joseph Parker, Derek Chisora or perhaps a rematch with Adam Kownacki,” Borao said.
Of those, Martin’s best chance against one of them is against Chisora, 37, who is about to lose to Parker.
Matchroom Boxing will need a good opponent for Chisora’s next match, and it will likely be a waste of time for promoter Eddie Hearn hoping that Wilder will agree to take on him.
In terms of power and speed, Martin could be said to be a heavyweight in their 20s.
Where Martin failed last Saturday night and in the knock-out loss to Anthony Joshua in 2016 was on defence. Martin was hit by a heavy bullet from Ortiz, and that punch should not have hit him.
“There’s no doubt that Charles is a top heavyweight contender capable of beating anyone on any given night,” Borao said.
