After Victor Ortiz lost his 3rd straight fight, and not exactly in heroic fashion, it would appear the career of the Kansas-born Californian is at an end. This gets even sadder when you consider that the small town of Garden City, Kansas is also saying good bye to the serious career of it's other native son, Brandon Rios. Both men have made a lot of noise in boxing for the last several years, but Rios was out-boxed by Abril, Alvarado, and Pacquiao, and seems to be through as a serious player. Ortiz followed up a fight of the year candidate, and a WBC Welterweight title-winning effort against Andre Berto, with three straight stoppage losses.
Don't get me wrong, Rios made a ton of money, and his lone victory in recent years was a fight-of-the-year match, as well. Ortiz also cashed-in like no other frequent loser in boxing history, with Mayweather and 'Dancing with the Stars'. Yet, it appears these two exciting fighters will never meet in the ring. Sad really, as boxing often relies on the marketing of the big city audience: LA, NYC, and Vegas... but to rely on it when it is not necessary is foolish, and this is a big fight for a small region, that every fight fan would have wanted. We have also lost a couple of other similar fights.. all because of the familiar enemy of boxing politics. Brandon Rios is Top Rank, while Victor Ortiz is Golden Boy... need I say more?
Vernon Forrest and Paul Williams were from towns 30 minutes apart from each other, and for a time, they were the number 1 and 2 junior middleweights in the world. Style-wise, they would have made for a very intriguing match-up, and could have sold out any venue in the Augusta area. Yet, this fight never happened, and now due to Williams paralysis, and Forrest's death, it never will. Why? Because Al Haymon had a policy of not matching his fighters together. He has relaxed that a bit, now that he manages so many. However, he should not be forgiven so soon for costing those men, and the fans, dearly with such an egomaniacal stance.
Lucas Matthysse and Marcos Maidana are two of the biggest punchers, and most exciting fighters at 140 and 147lbs. They are both from Argentina, Golden Boy fighters, (don't get me started on Haymon), and both seeking opponents for 2014. This fight should have been made ages ago, and I have no idea why it is not being made now. It makes so much sense that maybe it doesn't. Sounds stupid, but I am at a loss for an explanation. Both men have also shown the ability to retain their marketability (and even increase it) following losses, so that should not be a fear. As exciting as these divisions are right now, this is a sure-fire way to make top-level money on two guys who will not be notching wins at the highest level. This is the one example that can still happen. I hope it does very soon.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com