HBO Fight Preview

Luis Ortiz vs. Malik Scott

This Saturday from Monte Carlo HBO will air an afternoon heavyweight fight.  That fight will be between perhaps the most talented heavyweight in the sport, Luis Ortiz, and the quality but past his prime Malik Scott.  Interestingly enough both Ortiz and Scott faced the same opponent in their last fight, Tony Thompson.  While Ortiz dropped Thompson a total of three times including a knockout blow in the sixth round, Scott went the distance with Thompson getting the unanimous decision win.  On Saturday Ortiz and Scott are scheduled to go 12 rounds in a non-title fight.   

Ortiz may be the best heavyweight in the sport

Ortiz is a tall southpaw who comes from the Cuban school of boxing.  While most Cuban fighters are known for their defense, Ortiz is known for his excellent offensive skill set.  The Cuban pugilist likes to work behind a busy and stiff jab and he will often follow that jab up with a strong straight left hand.  Ortiz will also throw a right hook at times but he does his best work with his left hand.  While that left hand works great from the inside when Ortiz gets inside he loves to rip uppercuts and can do damage with that punch with both hands.  The only real question that remains about Ortiz is how he would handle going to the late rounds since he has never gone more than seven rounds in his professional career.

Like many of his fellow Cuban pugilists, Ortiz got a late start to his career.  That career began in the professional ranks in 2010 but Ortiz didn't real start to garner attention until 2014.  Then in 2015 Ortiz really impressed with a win over contender Bryant Jennings on HBO.  As it stands now his career record is a perfect 25-0 with a very impressive 22 knockouts and he is currently riding a streak of 10 knockouts in a row.  Outside of Jennings, Ortiz hasn't been able to land a bout with another top 10 heavyweight but if he keeps winning and impressing fans eventually one of the other top fighters will be forced to take him on.  However, before any of this big fights can take place Ortiz needs to beat Scott.

Scott will need to be perfect on Saturday

Scott is far from being the offensive force that Ortiz is but he is a skilled fighter and is solid defensively.  Scott, an orthodox fighter, likes to work behind a high guard and tries to stay safe.  However, he does have some noticeable flaws on defense like how he will drop his right hand when he throws his left hook and he will also drop his left hand down low at times which leaves him open when he throws his right hand.  On offense Scott does have a nice left hook and he likes to work that punch to the body but he has never been a very busy puncher.  

When it comes to his professional resume Scott actually has fought more notable opponents than Ortiz has.  Scott turned pro in 2000, a full 10 years earlier than Ortiz did and during that time he faced quality opponents such as Vyacheslav "Czar" Glazkov, Dereck Chisora, and Deontay Wilder.  During his 16-year career Scott has put together a record of 38-2-1 but he only has 13 knockouts and he was knocked out in both of his career losses.  That isn't a good sign for Scott against Ortiz since Ortiz is a skilled offensive fighter with power in both hands.

This will be a tough fight for Scott to win unless he is picture perfect.  Ortiz will need work inside but know when to get out of dodge and he will be best served looking to counter Ortiz while staying home on defense for long stretches of the fight.  For Ortiz he will look to do what he always does, land his power punches en route to breaking down and stopping his opponent.  Luckily for Ortiz he won't have to worry too much about return fire from the light hitting Scott so look for the Cuban to be very aggressive while he looks for the early stoppage.

PREDICTION: While Malik Scott is a fine fighter he is simply not in the same league as Luis Ortiz.  Ortiz has proven himself to be one of the most talented heavyweights in boxing and he will show fans just that talent again on Saturday night when he stops Scott in the fifth round.