Ortiz blows big Saul Alvarez opportunity !

24.06.12

By Lee Skavydis

Josesito Lopez produced a stunning TKO victory over Victor Ortiz when Ortiz did not come out for the tenth round in their scheduled twelve rounder, and probably threw his world title shot challenge to Saul Alvarez in the process.

Ortiz looked to be on his way to a points win over Lopez by boxing behind a tight guard, throwing his quick right hand and using smart pressure. But Lopez had success throughout in spurts starting in the opening round when he landed left hooks to the head and body.

In the second, Lopez landed another but Ortiz fired a left of his own to the head that knocked Lopez into the ropes but the fighter from Riverside, California bravely fought back by landing more hooks to the body.

The heads of both fighters came dangerously close in the preceeding rounds but luckily it was never a factor, but in the fifth Ortiz hit Lopez on the back of the head with a right which sent his opponent to the floor on one knee. After a couple of minutes rest referee Jack Reiss asked Lopez if he could box on, and the fight continued. At this point, Ortiz looked to start taking control as Lopez decided to hit the canvas again and he clinched many times in the following rounds although he did open up in spurts by throwing wild hooks.

In the eighth round, Ortiz had to ship three right uppercuts to the head as he began to switch off.
The ninth and final round saw the same, little action until the final twenty seconds told the story. Ortiz came to life and began throwing power punches but Lopez fired back and the bell sounded.
To the confusion of many, and especially Josesito Lopez, Ortiz refused to come out for the tenth round citing a broken jaw.

Ortiz said after the fight, "Lopez busted my jaw. It was kind of tough. It's a little painful."

An ecstatic Lopez stated, "I'm happy. I'm excited. I had to fight the fight of my life to win. Today is my day. As long as I'm ready I will take anybody!"

This is not the first time that Victor Ortiz has turned up with a surprise up his sleeve that went against him. In 2009, Ortiz quit against Marcos Maidana after an "up and downer" fight which convinced fans that the fighter from Oxnard had no heart. But Victor seemingly redeemed himself against Andre Berto when he outgunned and outfought the champion to rest the WBC welterweight crown from him. However, his improved reputation was short lived when he head butted Floyd Mayweather Jr, only to show too much respect and found himself knocked to the canvas, losing his crown and the fans that he made with the Berto fight.

The choice that Victor Ortiz made against Josesito Lopez last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles will now surely reinstate the beliefs that he is in the wrong business!



go to BOXING FORUM