Connect with us

Featured Articles

“I Don’t Blame Victor Ortiz,” Says Josesito Lopez About Canelo Fight

Published

on

image002Inside the dark boxing gym located on a Riverside hillside Josesito Lopez was busy hitting the speed bag when informed that Golden Boy Promotions had announced Victor Ortiz will be fighting Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in September.

“Oh, really,” said Lopez very calmly and continued his training.

First, Lopez (29-4, 17 KOs) and Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KOs) have a date on Saturday, June 23, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The fight card is co-promoted by Golden Boy and Goossen-Tutor Promotions along with Thompson Boxing Promotions.

Whether the announcement was made to spark ticket sales or to beat Top Rank to the punch in securing the Las Vegas fight date on Sept. 15, what matters is that all could be jeopardized if Ortiz loses to the vastly under rated Lopez.

It could happen. Lopez is one of the many dangerous prizefighters coming out of the Inland Empire where more than 30 boxing gyms are producing quality fighters at a rapid rate. Think Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley, Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera or youngster Randy Caballero.

They’re all very dangerous.

Lopez is a lean hard fighting boxer-puncher out of Riverside who began his boxing career at 130 pounds. Though he stands one inch under six feet the lanky boxer has never suffered a beating. Even in defeat those who got the victory walked away more injured than he.

“I don’t blame Victor Ortiz,” says Lopez about the premature announcement. “I blame the promoters. It’s disrespectful.”

Lopez lost his last match to Jesse Vargas , a fighter with a similar style. It was a nip and tuck struggle that saw Vargas switch modes and win by boxing and moving. Both fighters felt they deserved the win and that’s the way any close fight usually ends. Both boxers thinking they were the winner.

Golden Boy chose Lopez because of that performance when they needed to replace Andre Berto, who failed a drug test for PEDs.

“You earned it. Your fight was entertaining to the fight fans,” said Golden Boy’s Robert Diaz to Lopez during the conference call on Wednesday. “We’re confident in Victor.”

Confidence comes from Ortiz’s showing a year ago against Berto who held the WBC welterweight title at the time. In a thrilling battle the Ventura prizefighter put on the best performance of his life at the proper time. Even the loss to Floyd Mayweather last year could not diminish his stature.

“The only pressure I have is Josesito because he’s not a walk in the park.

It’s definitely a great experience once again,” said Ortiz. “Just knowing I’m going up against great opposition makes me work that much harder.”

Lopez was told that Golden Boy might consider inserting Lopez should he beat Ortiz in their confrontation next week. It was the first time he heard of the somewhat offer.

“The motivation for me is to beat Victor Ortiz. That’s all.  I don’t even think one hour past June 23. I don’t care about any other dates or any other time. Nothing else matters,” said Lopez.

Dan Goossen, president of Goossen-Tutor, says an upset is very possible.

“Josesito (Lopez) is much stronger at this weight,” Goossen said.

Ortiz shunned all questions regarding Canelo Alvarez.

“There are no thoughts of me fighting Canelo. As of right now there is only one guy that I want and that’s Josesito,” said Ortiz. “Lopez is a good fighter. He and Berto go hand in hand, I can’t ease up. I guess the difference is Josesito is not on roids.”

Semi-main event

Mexico’s rugged Humberto Soto (58-7-2, 34 KOs) and Argentina’s knockout punching Lucas Matthysse (30-2, 28 KOs) battle in a junior welterweight match set for 12 rounds in the semi main event at Staples.

“He’s going to come for war and were very happy because were going to give him war,” said Matthysse.

Soto simply shrugs at the prospect of a shoot out.

“There is no doubt he is a strong opponent and goes forward. I have a lot of experience and I’ll adjust to get the victory,” Soto said.

Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.com.

Comment on this article

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles2 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles7 days ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles1 day ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles3 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles1 day ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles2 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles3 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles7 days ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending