Luis Ortiz

Luis “King Kong” Ortiz built his professional career in the United States after years in Cuba’s amateur system. The patient southpaw became a dangerous contender through his timing, rear hand and ability to punish opponents coming forward.

Jennings and two Wilder challenges

Ortiz won the WBA interim heavyweight title against Matias Vidondo in October 2015, then stopped Bryant Jennings in the seventh round that December. Wins over Tony Thompson, Malik Scott and Dave Allen followed in 2016. His earlier contest with Lateef Kayode was changed to a no-contest.

He pushed WBC champion Deontay Wilder hard in March 2018 before losing by a tenth-round stoppage. After beating Christian Hammer, Ortiz challenged Wilder again in November 2019 and was knocked out in the seventh.

Later wins and setbacks

Ortiz knocked out Alexander Flores in 2020 and recovered from knockdowns to stop Charles Martin in the sixth round in January 2022. Andy Ruiz Jr. beat him by unanimous decision over twelve rounds later that year.

His latest conventional professional bout was a first-round knockout of Phillip Penson in Orlando on September 19, 2025. Florida’s commission recorded the finish at 1:53.

PBC lists Ortiz at 35–3 (30 KOs). No-contests and reported team-league appearances are separate from that total. Now 47, he has no next conventional professional fight confirmed.