LOS ANGELES (June 30) – After Saturday’s thrilling world title match, which ended in a sixth round technical knockout victory for Argentinean Marcos Maidana when the fight was stopped by the ringside physician due to a severe cut over Victor Ortiz’ right eye and swelling under his left eye, Ortiz wants to clear the air with the media and public regarding his performance.
“I didn’t fight the right fight and I didn’t execute the correct game plan to beat Maidana,” Ortiz said from his home in Oxnard. “I will learn from the mistakes I made on Saturday and not make the simple mistakes again, like trying to slug when I should box. I promise that next time, I will be more focused.”
“I made some comments after the fight that were an emotional response to the loss,” Ortiz continued. “I take full responsibility for my mistakes and actions, but I didn’t mean what I said. I am young, have things to learn and I guarantee you, I will be a world champion, MARK MY WORDS…Just watch me!.”
Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions (Ortiz’ promoter) commented, “Victor is a 22-year-old kid and has a brilliant future ahead of him in boxing, but on Saturday night, he fought the wrong fight and he knows that. You have to fight a puncher like Maidana with your head, not your heart and guts. He got caught a couple of times trying to go for the knockout even though he was clearly winning the fight. I’m 100% confident that he will go back to the drawing board with his team and come back stronger and a better fighter as a result of this experience.”
CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer stated, “Victor suffered from being hit by several illegal blows to the back of the head and was sent to the hospital after the fight for a post-fight check up as a precaution. He was there until close to 3 AM for testing and, although he is thought to have suffered a concussion, was released from the hospital. We know that Victor will be back in a world title fight soon. He was leading on the scorecards before the ringside physician stopped the fight, but this is boxing and the fight ended the way it did. He had a tough fight, but we are confident he will now rebound from it.”
Ortiz’ co-manager Rolando Arellano said, “The difficulties and struggles that Team Ortiz faced Saturday night are but the price we must pay for the accomplishments and victories of tomorrow. This team is one of positive affirmation and when Victor returns, he will be smarter, stronger and better. I will not allow the negative opinions and thoughts of others to poison our advancement towards a World Championship.
An announcement will be made regarding Ortiz’ next fight shortly.