By Robert Jackson: With the Ortiz/Berto rematch postponed – probably permanently, many wonder what’s next for the Vicious one. Ortiz has expressed an interest in facing the Alexander/Maidana winner, while Vanes Martirosyan has expressed his interest to step down from 154lbs to 147lbs and step in for the injured Berto and face Ortiz on Feb 11, 2012.
Facing the Alexander/Maidana winner could be good for Ortiz especially if Maidana beats Alexander, Ortiz would then get a chance to avenge a previous loss to the Argentinean. Facing Alexander would be new territory for Ortiz. In either case Ortiz would be inactive until mid or late summer.
The Freddie Roach trained Vanes Martirosyan, coming down to 147lbs could be ‘fools gold’ for Ortiz, or, pay real dividends for Ortiz in terms of credible opponent and stay busy fight. It could also be ‘real gold’ for Ortiz because of the weight loss that Martyrosian would have to subject himself to.
Skillwise Martirosyan is primarily a boxer without that big punch, his victories come by way of steady activity and an accumulation of punches. Against Kassim Ouma a fight that this writer thought Vanes lost – Ouma was able to outwork Vanes and put him on the defensive for most of the fight. In a give and take fight Ouma seemed to be giving more than he was taking.
Martirosyan is also a tall fighter and fights tall presenting style miss-matches for a lot of the 154lbers, this would be the same at 147lbs. In short Martirosyan is a high risk – low reward fight for Ortiz at this point in his boxing career, but considering the great equalizer – Martirosyan shrinking down to 147lbs, Team Ortiz should consider Martirosyan’s offer…QUICKLY.
Ortiz has also thrown his hat into the Mayweather derby, for consideration along with Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez to face Mayweather on May 5, 2012. This is the least likely scenario for Ortiz as Mayweather has said he’s open to an Ortiz rematch only after Ortiz gets a few quality wins notched on his belt.
Victor Ortiz coming off of a loss to Mayweather cannot afford to be inactive lest he fall off the public’s radar, he also cannot afford a miss-step, that could possibly ground his career for good. What’s next for Ortiz, should be announced in the weeks to come and until then we’ve got Donaire/Vasquez, Chavez Jr/Rubio and…Martirosyan/Lowry to look forward to, yes that same Martirosyan.