By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
Using what Don King likes to call “double shock power,” what if there were two huge boxing upsets, one on Sept. 17 and one on Nov. 12?
I guess we could then look forward to the 2012 Fight Of The Century, and certainly the most important all Mexican bout ever, between Vicious Victor Ortiz, who handed Floyd Mayweather his first ever pro loss, and Juan Manuel Marquez who, in his third try, finally whipped Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao.
Boxing oldtimers like to say that winning a first world title belt does wonders for a fighter’s confidence and Vicious Victor, based on his words and demeanor Tuesday at the Hudson Theater, was exuding confidence.
“I’ll be the one fighting Manny Pacquiao next year,” Ortiz said.
Some might look at his down times, the draw with Lamont Peterson and the notorious “quit job” against Marcos Maidana, and say that’s the essence of Ortiz. But Ortiz himself says we saw the content of his ring character when he bounced off the deck twice to hand cocksure Andre Berto his first defeat.
And, Ortiz promised, we’ll see more of that positive side of him when he shocks “Money” at the mGm Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Someone mentioned the opening odds—with Mayweather minus 750 and Ortiz plus 525—and Ortiz laughed.
“I don’t care about that,” the 24 year old former Kansan said. “I don’t pay attention to that. I am not one of those made champions. I didn’t get here by fighting tomato cans.
“I’m not one of those guys who were fed with a spoon like that. I have a lot of slaps in my face (from critics). This is a great chance for me.
“I plan on being a world champion for 15 years. I didn’t work so hard for this opportunity to let it a slip away,” Ortiz said.
“I am definitely going to beat Mayweather.”
Ortiz explains away his controversial finish against Argentine strongman by citing family issues and a badly injured right hand.
“I let my emotions get the best of me regarding my brother and my sister and some issues,” Ortiz said. “I also had to (secretly) see some doctors and get cortisone shots in my hand.”
Criticism of his heart and courage from that loss still burns deep for Ortiz.
Ortiz revealed that he had to accept a rematch clause to get the Mayweather bout.
“So I may have to beat him twice and then fight Pacquiao,” Ortiz said.
Like I said, in the wake of besting Berto, Ortiz’s confidence level is at an all time high.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
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