Luis Ortiz believes he still has enough energy to make history for his boxing-rich nation.
The Cuba’s first-ever heavyweight champion remains a focal point for the 43-year-old southpaw, who has twice tried and failed to achieve that dream. He is coming against Andy Ruiz (34-2, 22KOs) who will forever remain the first-ever Mexican boxer to win a heavyweight title.
“This is a fight that everybody has wanted, two heavyweight warriors who are ready to fight,” Ortiz told BoxingScene.com.
“We’ve wanted this fight for a long time and had to go chase after it to make it happen. But we’re here now and ready.”
“Every fight is important—but this one, in particular, is crucial to my career,” Ortiz admitted. “Whoever wins on Sunday will go on to fight for the heavyweight championship.”
“First thing is to beat Andy Ruiz (on Sunday),” noted Ortiz. “After that, however long it takes to get another world title shot, we will always be ready. I’m always in the gym, always training, always ready. I don’t pay any attention to people who (mock) my age. I feel better now than I did when I was 35 and 25. I’ll feel even better when I become world champion and won’t stop until I reach that goal.”
