After a dramatic 2021 in the heavyweight ranks, 2022 is set to start with a bang as Luis Ortiz and Charles Martin square off in Florida on January 1.
There’s was plenty to enjoy at the top end of the heavyweight division during 2021 as Tyson Fury successfully defended the WBC title courtesy of a KO win over Deontay Wilder.
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk stunned Anthony Joshua in his own backyard at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to claim the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts.
It’s not clear yet when the champions will be back in action but, in the meantime, we can enjoy a heavyweight contest between former champions Ortiz and Martin.
Veteran Still Churning Out Performances
Ortiz made his professional debut over a decade ago, claiming a first round victory over Lamar David in February 2010.
The Cuban, who will turn 43 in March, has made a career out of being a power puncher, with 27 of his 32 victories coming via that route.
He claimed his 27th KO/TKO win last time out when stopping Alexander Flores just 45 seconds into the opening round.
Prior to that win he was fighting for a world title but ultimately came up short against Wilder as he suffered a seventh round defeat in Las Vegas.
That was his second meeting with Wilder, having also lost in the 10th round in 2018, but those two losses are the only defeats on his 32-2-2 record as he heads to Florida.
Prince Charles on the Rise
Charles won the vacant IBF heavyweight title in 2016 when earning a third round TKO win over Ukraine’s Vyacheslav Glazkov in New York.
But the American’s time as champion was short-lived, indeed, his 85-day reign is the second-shortest in heavyweight boxing history after losing the strap to Anthony Joshua in London.
Joshua outclassed Martin and had the fight wrapped up inside two rounds at the O2 Arena as a new era of heavyweight boxing got underway.
He bounced back with successive victories over Byron Polley and Mike Marrone, winning in rounds two and one, respectively, before tasting defeat for the second time in his career against Adam Kownacki.
Once again, the 35-year-old showed his character to get back on a winning path and he heads into the January 1 bout on a three-fight succesful streak.
Much like Ortiz, he also possesses some serious power and 25 of his 28 victories have come inside the distance, with just two going to the judges and one ending after his opponent was disqualified.
Ortiz Worthy of Favourite Tag
Ortiz is the 4/19 favourite to overcome 59/20 underdog Martin and it’s easy to see why when looking back at the Cuban’s recent trips to the ring.
He was mighty close to stopping Wilder when they clashed the first time around in 2018, rocking the American but failed to complete the job.
Despite his age, Ortiz still boasts some impressive hand speed and he continues to approach his contests with an extremely offensive mindset.
King Kong has never been afraid to take a shot and always feels it’s worth walking into trouble to land his own power punches.
This will be his 14th bout since 2015, winning nine of those by KO/TKO and another victory by that route, which is available at 10/19, is worth exploring for the bought at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
*All odds correct at time of writing.