Currently, the heavyweight division is in a log jam.
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr are expected to meet in a three-belt unification rematch in the spring, while Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte are likely to fight somewhere in that same time frame. The winners could meet in an undisputed heavyweight title later in 2022.
That leaves Luis Ortiz and Charles Martin no man's land when they square off on New Year's Day from the Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla.
Ortiz (32-2, 27 KOs) has been a fixture atop heavyweight rankings for years, with his only defeats coming in memorable contests against former longtime heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. "King Kong" returns for the first time since a November 2020 first-round knockout over Alexander Flores.
Meanwhile, Martin (28-2-1, 25 KOs) is a former IBF heavyweight champion. After losing his title to Anthony Joshua in April 2016, Martin has won five of his last six fights, with all of his wins coming inside the distance. But, like Ortiz, Martin is coming off of a significant layoff. He hasn't fought since a sixth-round stoppage win over Gerald Washington in February 2020 on the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder 2 undercard.
Something has to give. Ortiz and Martin are in dire need of a win to keep their hopes of a future heavyweight title shot.
Here is everything you need to know about Luis Ortiz vs. Charles Martin.
When is Luis Ortiz vs. Charles Martin?
Date: Saturday, Jan. 1
Main card: 8 p.m. ET/1 a.m. BST
Main event approx: 10:30 p.m. ET/3:30 a.m. BST
The Ortiz vs. Martin card takes place on Saturday, Jan. 1. The main card begins at 8 p.m. ET in the United States and at 1 a.m. BST in the UK. Ortiz and Martin are expected to make their walks to the ring at around 10:30 p.m. ET and 3:30 a.m. BST, pending on the outcome of the earlier main card fights.
What channel/stream is Ortiz vs. Martin?
U.S.: Fox Sports
UK: FITE.TV
Where is the Ortiz vs. Martin fight?
The card will take place at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. Out of the two, Ortiz is the only one to compete at the venue. Ortiz stopped Arron Lyons in the seventh round back in August 2011.
Luis Ortiz record and bio
Nationality: Cuban
Born: March 29, 1979
Height: 6-4
Reach: 78 inches
Total Fights: 34
Record: 34-2 with 27 knockouts
Charles Martin record and bio
Nationality: American
Born: April 24, 1986
Height: 6-5
Reach: 80 inches
Total Fights: 31
Record: 28-2-1 with 25 knockouts
Luis Ortiz vs. Charles Martin fight card
- Luis Ortiz vs. Charles Martin; Heavyweight
- Frank Sanchez vs. Christian Hammer Heavyweight
- Jonnie Rice vs. Michael Coffie 2; Heavyweight
- Gerald Washington vs. Ali Eren Demirezen; Heavyweight
- Viktor Faust vs. Iago Kiladze; Heavyweight
- Frank Martin vs. Romero Duno; Lightweight