Unproven welterweight Josesito Lopez made former welterweight champion Victor Ortiz quit on his stool Saturday night, breaking Ortiz’s jaw en-route to a miraculous upset victory.
As he leaped onto the top rope, Lopez (30-4, 18 KOs) showed his surprise at Ortiz’s decision to quit, shrugging his shoulders and smiling at the Staples Center crowd. Lopez was a last minute replacement for Andre Berto, who failed a drug test in the months leading up to the fight.
“I knew I had to fight the fight of my life to win,” said Lopez, a native of Riverside, California. “I knew the longer it went, the better chance I’d have. He hits hard, but I was never going to quit. I knew it was a close fight on the scorecards, and I knew I could press him more and more if I continued. He’s like a tree. I had to chop him down.”
Ortiz came out strong, using his superior power and overall boxing skills to keep Lopez on the retreat. Despite his obvious disadvantages Lopez conterpunched Ortiz, who is subpar defensively, landing power punches in return.
“I’m a man, and I’m not intimidated by anything, I have a big heart. He tried to intimidate me, but it didn’t work. Victor has no heart.”
The upset put Ortiz’s career in flux. His showdown with Mexican star Saul “Canelo” Alvarez was abruptly cancelled after his defeat, and the boxer has lost his last two fights.