ORLANDO, Florida — If it were up to Luis Ortiz, the final chapter of his career would see him matched up against some of the elite heavyweights.

The two-time former title challenger took a step in the right direction to making that happen, as he blasted out an overmatched Phillip Penson in the first round Friday at the Caribe Royale.

After the dominating showing, Ortiz, 46, called for important fights.

“I think in my mind ... Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk, Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma. I'm ready for everybody,” Ortiz told The Ring.

It didn’t take long for Ortiz (35-3, 30 KOs) to get on the front foot and take control of the fight against Penson. After Penson (8-5-3, 2 KOs) slipped trying to move away from Ortiz along the ropes, he was sent back to the canvas from a straight left to the chest from the Cuban southpaw.

After Penson got to his feet, Ortiz positioned him along the ropes and landed a devastating straight left that put him on the canvas for good with 1:06 left in the opening round.

“I'm really happy for this opportunity,” Ortiz said. “I’m good mentally, my body [feels good]. I’m with my family, I’m happy.”

The fight was Ortiz's first since January of last year, which he also won by first-round knockout against Francisco Cordero. He hopes to return to the ring again in three months.