“Vicious” Victor Ortiz (24-1-1, 19 KOs), from Oxnard, California by way of Garden City, Kansas, will face Argentina’s Marcos “El Chino” Maidana (25-1, 24 KOs) on June 27th for the interim WBA Super Lightweight title at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. Ortiz vs. Maidana, which will be shown live on HBO B.A.D. (Boxing After Dark) and being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, will be the main event that night and in the co-feature will be the rematch between WBA featherweight champion Chris John and Rocky Juarez. At only 22 years of age, Victor Ortiz is quickly becoming one of boxing’s new superstars. We had a moment to sit down and talk to Ortiz as he prepares for his upcoming bout, here’s what he had to say:
Q: You’re currently preparing for your next fight, which will be against Marcos Maidana, what do you know about your opponent and have you seen video of his fights and do you normally watch video of any of your opponents?
A: I know I’m in for a tough, hard fight. He’s there to win and so am I. I’m hungry I’m young; this is something I have been working for, for a very long time. A long the way there’s been people who haven’t believed in me but I believe that it’s my turn, it’s my chance and I’m not going to let it slip. I’ve been training to hard and I’ve had some of the greatest sparring partners so as far as that goes I’m ready and I know I’m ready for a war and he shouldn’t be expecting a light walk.
Q: How is training camp going and who have you been sparring with to help you prepare for your upcoming bout?
A: Training camp has being going very well; I’ve been sparring with some very great fighters. I’m not going to mention any names but they are great fighters and I just know that I’m ready to go into combat.
Q: This is the first time you’ll be headlining, do think there’s any added pressure for you to have a great performance and how does that make you feel?
A: There’s always that question about pressure, all my pressure came early on in my career and in the Olympic trials, so I’ve learned quite a bit of how to channel that pressure, so as far as pressure, there’s no pressure at the moment.
Q: Should you get past Maidana, would you like to fight the winner of Kotelnik-Khan in your next bout?
A: You know what, I’m not looking ahead of Maidana, and so for me to answer a question like that I guess we’d have to redo the interview after the fight. Right now my focus is on Maidana and no one else.
Let’s talk a little bit about your last fight.
Q: In your last outing you were able to stop “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis in the 2nd round, was he the best opponent you have faced to date and what’s your opinion of him as a fighter?
A: Mike Arnaoutis is a great fighter. I’ve looked over his tapes quite a few times and I knew that he was an elite fighter, just like I am, so he is a great fighter, but with the coaching of my trainers I got through the fight fairly easily as people say but I really thought it was a hard test for me and a hard fight but I guess I just connected earlier than he did.
Q: What kind of statement were you looking to make in your fight with Arnaoutis, were you looking for the knockout?
A: No, I’ve never try to look for the knockout. I’ve learned the hard way a few times; I don’t go in there looking for a knockout. I mean I was surprised that I knocked Arnaoutis out, that wasn’t the intent, that wasn’t what I was going for. I wasn’t trying to, my focus there was going twelve rounds and it ended early.
Q: What is your opinion of the current Super Lightweight division?
A: It’s a great division to be in, a lot of great fighters right now, you have Pacquiao, Marquez, the list goes on. There’s a lot of great fighters there and I just hope one day I’ll be considered one those.
Q: What are your some of your future goals?
A: Futures goals for me would be to become world champ and retain my titles I have right now.
Q: Not to long ago you were at a fan rally to show support for one of your friends, Juan Manuel Marquez, were before Marquez made his appearance, hundreds of people gathered around you asking for pictures and autographs, how does/did that make you feel to see such a big following?
A: It was great, I’m just thankful for everyone following me and supporting me. I just feel like, my deepest thank you’s from the bottom of my heart.
Q: Is there anything you would like to tell your fans?
A: Thank you very much for following me and making stuff like this possible for me. It’s always been a dream of mine and I’m happy to start getting closer to it with the help of everyone so for that I thank you.
