Even though he hasn’t been active in recent years, Luis Ortiz (34-3) has stayed busy in the gym as he patiently waited for a call for his next assignment. 

The top heavyweight contender finally returned to action on January 24 in Cartagena, Colombia when he made quick work out of Francisco Cordero, stopping him in the first round. 

Prior to that victory, he was last seen in the ring in September 2022, when he lost a decision to Andy Ruiz. 

According to Ortiz, several of the top heavyweights have turned him down for a variety of reasons. 

“I have been training and I feel amazing. I have wanted to take any top heavyweight but the truth is that for the last 12 months all of top heavyweights have either said they are busy or say that they won’t make enough money to fight me,” Ortiz told BoxingScene.com. 

“I totally understand that because I know I’m not a walkthrough but I definitely deserve the respect that I’m one of the top heavyweights who still has a big name and the crowd loves me. 

“I am not going to mention all the heavyweights that were called but you know who you are. There were six of the top heavyweights and at this point I’m just putting you all on notice that I’m available and you know that I have been available.”

The 44-year-old Cuban is best-known for his pair of fights against former world champion Deontay Wilder. 

Even at his advanced age he believes he has a few big fights left in the tank. 

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