Skip to main content

Victor Ortiz on Lopez, Canelo, 154lbs and Mayweather rematch

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
American ready to regain the world title in 2012

Former WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz is just one step away from another crack at a coveted green belt and knows he must deal with Josesito Lopez on June 23rd before a 154lb title chance against Saul Alvarez.                             
       
The 25 year-old is ready to shine at the Staples Center next weekend as he warms up for his third world title bout at the MGM Grand and is thriving on the pressure of returning to the scene of his loss to Floyd Mayweather one year ago.

“I love it. It pushes me from 110 percent to 120 percent,” Ortiz told World Boxing News.

“I'm going to try and win the $100,000 best knockout bonus from Goldenboy and I'll use it to visit the United Kingdom.”

Alvarez, 21, is a seasoned campaigner despite still being a youngster in boxing terms and Ortiz will be aiming to end a 41-fight unbeaten streak that stretches back to when the Mexican superstar turned professional at just fifteen years old.

“He is a very good fighter, a warrior like me. It will be a huge punch out on the night and may the best man win," he said.

“I know I have to stay focused on Josesito Lopez on the 23rd though and he's good.

"We are also fighting for the interim and silver title at welterweight so there’s a chance to win another title.”

‘Vicious’ Victor has stepped up from fighting at light-welterweight to his maiden bout at light-middleweight in the fall in just under two years, and the Californian is unsure at this point whether he sees his long-term future at 154lbs.

“I can carry 152-154 very comfortably. I'll reserve the decision after I beat Canelo, like Mayweather is holding his decision,” he explained, before lead onto confirming that a rematch with Mayweather would be a possibility if he takes Canelo’s title in Las Vegas.

“Absolutely I would fight Floyd again, but there is lots of work to do before that happens. 

“By the way, I'll protect myself at all times,” joked Ortiz referring to the way their previous meeting ended at the same venue.

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

WBN Remembers: "Gypsy Boy" Ernie Smith

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor  (picure by boxrec.com)  After almost a year and a half without one of boxing’s great journeymen, World Boxing News is looking back at the 161-fight career of Worcestershire warrior Ernie Smith, concentrating on his contribution in the ring, rather than the tragic way his life ended out of it. Smith turned professional at super-featherweight in 1998 at the Park Hall Hotel in Wolverhampton, losing a six rounder against Welshman Woody Greenaway.  One month later, Ernie was thrown in with an unknown prospect by the name of Gavin Rees (former world champion and current British Lightweight Champion) who he also took the distance over four rounds. The “Gypsy Boy” then managed to string together a four fight unbeaten run together in early 1999 and ended the year winning five out of his twelve contests, but by this time had already delved into the journeyman pool of boxers with a record of 5-8-1. After settling at the welterweight limit, Ernie ga...
Read more

Ashley Theophane talks US return, Ricky Burns sparring and future fights

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Treasure’ training for August 24 return Former British light-welterweight champion Ashley Theophane is aiming to put the disappointment of his loss to Darren Hamilton behind him when he makes his comeback in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 24. The 31 year-old, who has fought some of the top fighters between 140 and 154lbs, planned to take 18 months out of chasing his world title dream to win a British Lonsdale belt outright and just fell short with points defeat to Hamilton in May after making two defences. The Londoner is now returning to the US to re-establish his headline status on American soil. He fights for the 38th time in his career against an opponent yet to be named at NC Music Factory’s Reelworks Studios and is currently preparing to get back to winning ways. “Training has gone well for this fight. I've been in the gym for nearly nine weeks so I'm in great shape and ready to go,” Theophane told World Boxing News. ...
Read more

WBO #4 Orlando Cruz comes out as the first openly gay boxer in history

Orlando Cruz, a professional boxer from San Juan Puerto Rico (18-2-1, 9 KOs), former Olympian and currently ranked No. 4 Featherweight by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), is announcing today that he ”Is a proud gay man.” Cruz is the first openly gay man in boxing history.  “I’ve been fighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career, I want to be true to myself,” said Cruz.  “I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career.  I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican.  I have always been and always will be a proud gay man.” Orlando Cruz began boxing at the age of 7 and posted an amateur career record of 178-11.  He won 7 Puerto Rico National Title's and spent 4 years on The Puerto Rican National Team.  Cruz won 7 Gold Medals, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze in various international tournaments.  His amateur career culminated as a representative of the 2000 ...
Read more