Cuban heavyweight slugger Luis “King Kong” Ortiz shared his final thoughts from training camp before he steps in to rematch WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder Saturday, November 23 in the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View main event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
(Photo credit: Team Luis Ortiz)
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by BombZquad Promotions, TGB Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at www.mgmgrand.com or www.axs.com.
Here is what Ortiz had to say from training camp in Las Vegas with his head coach Herman Caicedo and strength and conditioning coach Larry Wade:
On his training camp:
“I feel really good going into this fight. All the hard work is finally coming to an end and now it’s time to get the proper rest to be at my best on fight night. As a team we worked smart during this training camp. We did things a little different with my diet and I believe that will make me perform at a high level on fight night. My weight is right where I want it. All in all, it’s been a very productive training camp.”
On his rematch with Deontay Wilder:
“As I’ve said before, Wilder is the best heavyweight of this decade and until someone beats him, he will remain the top dog. We have a different strategy in place that I believe will be the difference in this rematch. I have plans to end this fight before the final bell, but if we need to go the distance, I’m well prepared to take it all the way.”
On fighting for his family and his Cuban legacy:
“I have to say it’s been really hard being away from my family during training camp, but I know coming out to Las Vegas was the right move. If I’m going to become the heavyweight champion of the world, I must make these types of sacrifices. Everything I do in the ring is for my family. To become the first Cuban heavyweight champion in boxing history would be a dream come true, not only for me, but for my countrymen back home. I’m going to leave every ounce of blood, sweat and tears in the ring come November 23.”
On fighting on FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View:
“This is a big opportunity to show the world that I’m the best heavyweight on planet earth. All the fans watching are going to see one of the best heavyweight fights in boxing history. Wilder is coming to fight just like me, which makes for a very entertaining night of boxing. The fans are going to be the winners in this fight.”
EXCITING UNDERCARD LINEUP FEATURES RISING PROSPECTS IN ACTION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 FROM THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS
An action-packed lineup of undercard attractions will enter the ring on Saturday, November 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in support of the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View event headlined by boxing’s longest reigning heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder defending his WBC title in a rematch against once-beaten Cuban slugger Luis “King Kong” Ortiz.
The non-televised fights will stream live on PBC on FOX Youtube, Twitter and Facebook pages beginning at 4:10 p.m. ET/1:10 p.m. PT from inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Entering the ring will be Huntington Park, California’s José Manuel Gómez (11-0, 4 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight fight against Miami’s Daniel Placeres (8-2-1, 7 KOs), Ukraine’s Viktor Slavinskyi (10-0-1, 6 KOs) competing in an eight-round super featherweight contest against Mexico’s Rigoberto Hermosillo (11-1-1, 8 KOs) and the younger brother of heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder competes as Marsellos Wilder (5-1, 2 KOs) steps in for a six-round cruiserweight bout against Tennessee’s Dustin Long (2-1-2, 2 KOs).
The action continues with a pair of Dallas-natives as lightweight Arnold Alejandro (11-0, 10 KOs) battles the Philippines’ John Gemino (20-12-1, 10 KOs) for an eight-round duel and featherweight Angel Alejandro (7-0, 4 KOs) steps in for a six-round fight against Mexico’s Francisco Javier Rodriguez (5-1, 3 KOs), plus unbeaten Denver-native Shon Mondragon (4-0, 2 KOs) takes on Nicaragua’s Juan Centeno (4-3-1, 1 KO) in a six-round super bantamweight affair.
