Unheralded Josesito Lopez never considered himself a stepping stone after moving up from junior welterweight to replace Andre Berto, who failed a drug test, to face former WBC welterweight champ Victor Ortiz ... and he certainly didn't fight like one. Ortiz needed a win to advance to a big money pay-per-view match with WBC junior middleweight champ Saul Alvarez on September 15. Instead, Alvarez will once again be looking for a new opponent (Paul Williams and James Kirkland were previous candidates for the match).
Did Victor Ortiz quit? And why can't he avoid fouling? Find out why this was such a great - and much needed - night for the sport of boxing. Check out complete coverage of Victor Ortiz vs. Josesito Lopez.
Comments
The capitulation of Ortiz came as a shock to me; I had him very securely ahead in the fight. I am reluctant to judge someone if they are truly convinced they cannot continue because of a significant injury such as a broken jaw. However, I could see no swelling apparent in Ortiz’s jaw, and after the fight and still in the ring, he managed to smile and speak, with no indication of swelling. Lopez looked the beaten and bruised fighter, and seemed to have sustained far more punishment than Ortiz. It will be very interesting to see what a detailed medical report will indicate about the jaw. Meanwhile, boxing is a a difficult sport, and a sport where determination and a will to win overcomes adversity. Unfortunately Mr. Ortiz is now very suspect in terms of having the will and determination to continue to fight at a high level.
Josesito Lopez never went down,stood his ground and did a lot better than many expected from him. I think he proved himself.
I really think Victor Ortiz has become a dysfunctioal person. When he fought Mayweather, he fouled by being a dirty boxer. During the bout with Lopez, he attempted to head butt several times, also various punches on the back of the head, and he has the nerve to say he is not a dirty fighter. Give me a break!
All I could think while I was watching this fight was: that punch that he got at the end of the fight with Mayweather was well deserved.
There has been a lot of speculation as to Ortiz’ heart or courage. If as seems to be the case his jaw was broken, he really cannot be faulted for not continuing. In fact that decision should not have been his. The corner should have asked for a doctors examination to determine the extent of the injury and whether or not it was safe for him to fight on. How many fighters have been riuned by “courageous corner men?” Ortiz continually portrays himself as a clean fighter yet the blow to the back of Lopez head appeared calculated. His head positioning at best is careless. To me he seemed dismayed at Lopez’s ability to take his best punches and come back strong. Although I had him a point up at the end I always had this feeling that Lopez would outgame him. What is next for Ortiz obviously a long healing break. During that time working on defence would be beneficial, else it’s going to be a very short career.
How can anyone be so foolish to think that aman with a broken jaw who’s winning would quit in light of such a serious injury in the world’s most dangerous sport. I doubt that anyone who speculates or believes Ortiz quit has a scintilla of his courage. He’s a smart man to quit rather than suffer a permanent injury. God Bless Victor Ortiz for not letting his emotions overcome the common sense decision making process when it comes to his own well-being. Victor Ortiz will be back & regain his posture as one of the World’s best Boxers.