Luis Ortiz edges ever closer to a WBC title shot against Tyson Fury after recording a swift victory against Alexander Flores in Los Angeles.Ortiz ended a year-long absence from professional boxing with an emphatic first-round knockout which strengthens his position as No 3 in the WBC rankings.Luis “King Kong” Ortiz defeated Alexander Flores in 45 seconds as the Cuban boxing star returned to the ring after a year-long absence.Ortiz is back in the ring after a second loss to former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, the only defeats in his professional career, and the former title challenger made light work of Flores in Los Angeles.Ortiz landed a swift left hand that moved Flores into reverse and then a strong right hook to the body sent the Californian straight to the floor.Flores was not able to continue as Ortiz picked up a quick win that has strengthened his position at number 3 in the official WBC rankings, with Tyson Fury holding the WBC belt.

On the undercard, Cuban heavyweight Frank Sanchez dropped Brian Howard three times in a fourth round win.

Sanchez, who works with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso, floored Howard with a right hand in the third round.

The unbeaten Cuban then floored Howard twice more in the fourth round before referee Jerry Cantu called off the fight.

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The Gypsy King is expected to defend his belt against German Heavyweight Agit Kabayel in December.

Fury put in an exceptional display against Wilder back in February to claim the WBC title.

Meanwhile, Dillian Whyte seeks to reclaim his status as the mandatory challenger with a win over Alexander Povetkin in their rescheduled rematch in January.