Sunday, June 24, 2012

A Broken Will



There's a reason why they play the games someone once said. And the same exact thing is true for Boxing. In the past few months we have seen three Boxers test positive for a banned substance, as well as a perennial superstar Manny Pacquiao get robbed of a win. But Saturday night Victor Ortiz vs. Josesito Lopez showed why Boxing fans love the sport so much. Saturday night no judges were needed, and as most fans and viewers of the sport would agree, the fight was determined by the two people that it should be, the two fighters.

Coming into Saturday nights fight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles California, the favorite Victor Ortiz coming off a loss against Floyd Mayweather in his last fight, had everything lined up. If Ortiz could beat Lopez he had Super Welterweight champion Canelo Alvarez, lined up for huge fight September 15th on pay per view. Ortiz could consider himself just a couple wins away from a rematch with Floyd Mayweather if he could take down both Lopez then Alvarez. 

However there was one crucial element everyone forgot. Somehow somewhere everyone forgot anyone is beatable and what defines a true fighter is the moments he has to rise up. Josesito Lopez who agreed to step in for Andre Berto after Berto tested positive for steroids, did just that Saturday night. Although everyone knew Lopez had a chance, still the thought of Lopez pulling the upset against Ortiz was far from reality for most people.

The fight itself was a great one. Every round was filled with multiple exchanges from both fighters Ortiz and Lopez. Ortiz landed some really good power shots, as well as Lopez landed a good amount of flurry's. Even when Lopez was struck with a illegal shot to the back of his head early he was able to grind through, and continue fighting after taking some time to gather himself. Ortiz's punches may have been the more powerful but Lopez hung in the fight and capitalized on key defensive weaknesses from Victor Ortiz. Lopez was able to land clean hooks and uppercuts in clusters through out the bout. As the fight went on it became frighteningly clear Lopez wasn't going to give in and give Ortiz his bout with Canelo Alvarez that easily. Lopez even at times taunted Ortiz to come forward. Somewhere in the barrage of punches Lopez landed he needed to catch a break however. With what we have seen from judges in the past few weeks Lopez better than anyone knew the best way for a win, is to take matters into your own hands and finish the bout. And with a big left hook Josesito Lopez did just that late in the fight.
Unknown at the time to everyone watching the fight but one of Lopez's big left hands in round 9 had in fact hurt, and broken Victor Ortiz's jaw. Not showing any signs of issues at the time the exchange of punches took place, Ortiz fought through till the end of the 9th. But as the 10th round was set to begin Ortiz and his corner yelled to referee Jack Reiss that he had broken his jaw and he couldn't continue. 

Lopez and his team exploded into excitement right away celebrating the hard fought victory. Lopez in his post fight interview stated it best, that Saturday night was just his night. Victor Ortiz did answer some post fight questions in ring. With his speech altered, clearly Ortiz's jaw was hurt badly by Lopez's left hook. Ortiz was rushed out of the ring quickly afterwards, making the walk of shame back to his dressing room. While spitting up blood Ortiz buried his head in his hands not believing he just lost his second consecutive bout and this one under his own will.

Whats next for Victor Ortiz? After losing to Josesito Lopez Saturday night he is now (1-2-1) in his last four fights with two consecutive losses on huge stages. His bout with Canelo Alvarez is all but gone and a rematch against other opponents from the past such as Andre Berto, Floyd Mayweather, and Lamont Peterson are not going to happen. Maybe down the line Ortiz can face Marcos Maidana once again. But there are even bigger questions for Ortiz then who he will face ahead of him. 

Victor Ortiz's mental makeup already in question will take an even harder hit. In the past Ortiz has lost his cool engaging in illegal acts in the ring including trying to head butt Floyd Mayweather and even in Saturday nights bout against Lopez hitting him in the back of the head. On top of all that now Ortiz seemingly gave up in a fight. A prideful Boxer on his ability to grind through tough times both in life and the ring couldn't push himself to continue. And that will be the hardest part for Victor Ortiz to swallow. Just 24 hours ago Ortiz had the label of a Boxer who was just a couple steps away from getting back to a rematch with Floyd Mayweather. Now Ortiz's career like his last two fights has hit rock bottom, it will be seen if Victor Ortiz can pick his career off the mat or take the ten count.

For Lopez his career has done the opposite of Victor Ortiz's. Lopez just 8 weeks ago was on his couch willing to be a step in for any fight. Now Josesito Lopez's stock has shot through the roof. Lopez a natural 140 pound fighter can get almost any bout he wants now. And even more importantly Lopez now has the momentum and the confidence moving forward knowing that he has a defining win over a big time opponent. If not for his controversial loss to unbeaten prospect Jessie Vargas last September, Lopez may have had two huge wins in a row. Lopez for the first time in his career may finally find himself the favorite instead of the underdog for his next fight. 

For both Victor Ortiz and Josesito Lopez from here there careers are a mystery. The one thing that is for sure is the sport of Boxing will have its lows now and again but for the majority of the sport will be dictated by great fights and upsets like Saturday night was.








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