LAS VEGAS — In 2001, Danny Almonte gained considerable media attention after the Dominican Republic-born Little League pitcher became a phenomenon in leading the Bronx to a third-place finish in the 2001 Little League World Series.
His imposing appearance and physical ability eventually became the subject of scrutiny and concern as Almonte burned through the tournament with 62 strikeouts out of 72 batters faced while giving up only three hits and one unearned run. Rumblings that Almonte was older than the 12-year-old age limit for the Little League World Series eventually rose to the surface as his 5-8 frame and 76 mph fastball was beyond the norm for preteens his age.
Eventually, it was revealed that Almonte had a falsified birth certificate and was born in 1987 instead of 1989. Almonte was retroactively ruled as ineligible, and the Bronx Baby Bombers had to forfeit all of their wins.
Nearly two decades after the Little League baseball age scandal, boxing finds itself in an age mystery of its own. Albeit not nearly as serious as Almonte in 2001.
Just how old is heavyweight Luis Ortiz?
Ortiz (31-1, 26 KOs) will once again challenge Deontay Wilder (41-0-1, 40 KOs) for the WBC heavyweight championship on Nov. 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It’s a return bout from a thrilling 2018 affair that saw Ortiz nearly finish Wilder but ended up being knocked out in the 10th round.
Ortiz is listed as 40, with a birthdate of March 29, 1979. But many have questioned his age, and it’s become the subject on message boards, joked about regularly by his peers and whispered among boxing scribes. Due to his extensive amateur career that spanned over 360 fights, the fact he fought for the Cuban national team from 2002-2008 and his weathered look, King Kong’s age continues to be questioned.
But one thing nobody questions is his ability. In addition to his excellent record, Ortiz stands as the only fighter to nearly finish Wilder inside of a boxing ring. His technical prowess and heavy punch have routinely been too much for his opponents to overcome, and Wilder remains impressed by his opponent on Saturday night, regardless of how old he is.
“We’re always hearing about his age, but who really cares?” Wilder said to a small group of reporters earlier in the week. “We’ve seen many guys who have aged and still dominate. I can think of two off the top of my head with Bernard Hopkins and George Foreman.”
Should Ortiz upend Wilder on Saturday night, he would become the second-oldest man to win a world title behind Foreman, who was 45 years old when he stopped Michael Moorer to win the WBA, IBF and lineal heavyweight titles in 1994.
If we go by what’s listed, Ortiz has a chance to make history on Saturday night. Or, if we go by the rumors, he could end up breaking the record set by Foreman a quarter-century ago.
“He told me he’s 40 but, in his face, he looks about 45,” Wilder joked. “But I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he’s 40.
“He can be 50 years old. But how many 50-year-old men do you know that are going to step into the ring with me for a second time?”
As much has been made about Ortiz’s age, Wilder wondered aloud why the younger fighters in the heavyweight division haven’t stepped up to expose Ortiz inside of a boxing ring. If he were to be 50, wouldn’t that result in diminished skills that an opponent could take advantage of?
Maybe.
Or, maybe they are scared of losing to an old man.
“I really don’t know (why they are fascinated with my age) but I get a kick out of it,” Ortiz said when asked about the obsession with how old he is. “They think I’m 100, but it is what it is.”
Whether he’s telling the truth or not doesn’t really matter. The only thing that matters for Wilder and Ortiz is who leaves Las Vegas as the WBC champion. And Wilder isn’t the slightest bit concerned about beating up an old man.
“I don’t care how old he is. He could be 99 years old but if he’s able to get in that ring I’m going to beat his old ass.”