Former two-time heavyweight title challenger Luis Ortiz returns from a one-year layoff on Saturday night when he takes on contender Alexander Flores at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Ortiz comes back after dominating then-WBC titlist Deontay Wilder for the majority of the contest before getting knocked out in the seventh-round in November 2019. The 41-year-old vows to get back into the ring and show why he's still a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division.
"I can't wait to get back in the ring and put on a great performance for all my fans," Ortiz said in a press release. "I've been training hard and I'm going to show why I'm still one of the most dangerous and avoided heavyweights around. Credit to Flores for stepping up to the challenge, but I'm planning on making a statement on Nov. 7."
Flores has won four of his last five fights, with the sole defeat coming to former WBO titlist Joseph Parker. His last time out, Flores bounced back to stop Mario Heredia in the sixth round. Flores gets another opportunity to secure a marquee victory on his resume.
"Ortiz is a great fighter," Flores said. "He's still one of the most feared men in the division. A lot of the people on his level don't want to fight him. His only losses coming against Deontay Wilder says everything about his quality. Whenever you fight at that caliber that Ortiz has been at, I know you're going to know what you need to do in training. But, the older you get, the harder it is to recover. It doesn't get easier. Maybe his age will show up Saturday night."
Here's everything you need to know about the Luis Ortiz vs. Alexander Flores card.
Luis Ortiz vs. Alexander Flores fight date, start time
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 7
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
The Ortiz vs. Flores card will begin at 8 p.m. ET.
How to watch Ortiz vs. Flores: TV, live stream
- FOX
The Ortiz vs. Flores fight will air live on FOX, meaning the fight can be watched for free. The bout can also be live-streamed on the FOX Sports app.
Where is the Ortiz vs. Flores fight?
This will mark the first time Ortiz and Flores have competed at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Ortiz competes in California for the third time while Flores fights in his hometown state for the 16th time.
Luis Ortiz record and bio
- Nationality: Cuban
- Born: March 29, 1979
- Height: 6-4
- Reach: 78 inches
- Total fights: 33
- Record: 31-2 with 26 knockouts
Alexander Flores record and bio
- Nationality: American
- Born: Aug. 9, 1990
- Height: 6-4
- Reach: 79 inches
- Total fights: 21
- Record: 18-2-1 with 16 knockouts
Ortiz vs. Flores fight card
- Luis Ortiz vs. Alexander Flores; Heavyweight
- Frank Sanchez vs. Brian Howard; Heavyweight
- Michael Coffie vs. Joey Abell; Heavyweight
- Carlos Negron vs. Rafael Rios; Heavyweight