Maidana Stuns Ortiz in a Thriller!

In a fight of the year candidate, Marcos Maidana 26-1 (25 KO’s) of Argentina scored an admirable come from behind stoppage over Oxnard, CA’s “Vicious” Victor Ortiz 24-2-1 (19 KO’s) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Referred to as the future of the sport by promoter Oscar De La Hoya, Ortiz came out guns a blazing in the opening stanza. Maidana effectively matched him until a strong right hook from Ortiz dropped him, sending the Staples Centers’ patrons into frenzy. The cheering stopped in a flash, as Maidana literally dropped Ortiz with the first punch he threw after recovering from the knockdown.

Ortiz had a sensational second, dropping Maidana with a right hook to start his onslaught. After arising from the canvas and without pure boxing skill in his arsenal, Maidana continued to bang with Ortiz, landing some strong, often loaded up punches. Ortiz stunned Maidana with a straight left hand towards the tail end of the round and dropped him for a second time with a quick combination. Maidana got up rather quickly, taking an extra second or two on the canvas before stepping up shortly before the bell rang.

A confident Ortiz showed why he is so highly regarded in the third, tagging a suddenly slowing Maidana at ease with fast shots. With both pugilists perhaps tiring from an impressive work rate, the action slowed (by comparison) during the fourth, where Maidana threw more looping right hands and body punches in clinches while Ortiz had the far busier hands. With Ortiz seemingly cruising, having scored three knockdowns, the tides surprisingly turned in the fifth.

The fearless Maidana stalked Ortiz, firing aggressive hooks, right hands and body shots. Rather than use his southpaw style and hand speed, Ortiz elected to slug it out with Maidana. This turned out to be a vital mistake.

Ortiz was stunned on multiple occasions and cut above the right eye following a strong right hand from the cement fisted Argentinean. With a bad cut and Ortiz’ body language already showing defeat, trainer Danny Garcia nearly stopped the fight between rounds as his heavily breathing fighter appeared to be shot. After given the thumbs up to continue after having the cut evaluated by the California State Athletic Commission, Ortiz every so slowly headed toward the center of the ring for the sixth.

Still visibly shaken from the punishment, Ortiz had nothing left to offer and within seconds, was met by a vicious assault from Maidana. Maidana quickly rocked and dropped Ortiz following a combination, which ended with a left hand to the body. With the cut bleeding as well as swelling above his other eye, a battered Ortiz rose from the knockdown shaking his head.

Rather than call the fight off even though Ortiz was clearly unwilling to continue, the referee signaled for the ringside doctor. The doctor took a look at the cut deemed Ortiz unable to continue, :49 seconds into the sixth. With the victory, Maidana picks up the WBA “interim” Junior Welterweight title. Even though many fighters would use the doctor as an excuse for stopping the fight, Ortiz really dug his own grave during the post fight interviews.

Ortiz admitted he didn’t want to continue and wasn’t even sure if he wanted to box anymore saying “I shouldn’t be taking this type of punishment (I want to live into my later years).” Dubbed as the next great thing by the wealthiest and most powerful person in the sport, Ortiz’ future now looks murky.