By James Slater: There is no doubt about it, Oxnard’s “Vicious” Victor Ortiz both redeemed himself and put his name in the picture for some big, big fights with his recent upset win over WBC welterweight champ Andre Berto. And while full redemption would be achieved by Ortiz only by way of a revenge win over Marcos Maidana (the man he “quit” against in that other thriller), Ortiz says he is the top dog at 147 and this is where his future will lie. So, unless “El Chino,” the current WBA interim champ at 140, decides to move up in weight, we will not see a Maidana-Ortiz II. Who will the new WBC welter champ fight then?
Well, according to Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, in talking with ESPN, Ortiz is yet another fighter to have entered the Floyd Mayweather sweepstakes. Mayweather – who must first, and crucially, get those legal issues out of the way before he can fight against anyone – was ringside at Ortiz’ classic with Berto. Was he scouting? We don’t know, but Schaefer has put Ortiz’ name forward as a potential foe for Mayweather for if and when he returns to the ring.
“Is Mayweather the better boxer than Victor? Yes,” Schaefer said. “But is Victor younger and stronger and bigger than Mayweather? Yes. Can he hurt Mayweather? Yes. Mayweather is Pound-for-Pound the best, right up there with Pacquiao, but he hasn’t fought for a year. I think a lot of people would give Victor a chance if that fight happened.”
So, would YOU give Ortiz a chance against the sublime skills of the 34-year-old unbeaten master? Maybe, if “Money’s” time out has affected him (and long layoffs have never bothered him in the past), Ortiz, with his sheer workrate, bullish strength and power, would have a shot. But if the fight is made ( and don’t hold your breath, look instead for Ortiz to face his mandatory – the patient and deserving Selcuk Aydin of Turkey next), Mayweather will be placed as a huge betting favourite.
As with Pac-Man, Mayweather is a fighter everyone from 135 to 154 wants a piece of. “Vicious” Victor Ortiz is just the latest. Would I watch a Mayweather-Ortiz fight if it were made? Sure! In fact, I would watch Mayweather fight just about anyone. Let’s face it, we’ve missed Floyd. Let’s hope he is indeed back in action this year.