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kenyan_cheena · 02-16-2012, 08:10 AM

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Updated: December 3, 2007 10.45 AM ET

Ortiz loses cool at MGM press conference

By Larry Holman
ESPN.com
Archive

In an indication that defending the title of best lightweight in the world might be getting to him, Francisco Ortiz lost control of his temper at Sunday's MGM press conference to promote his Saturday showdown with Patricio Marquez. During what appeared to be some good natured back-and-forth between Ortiz and Marquez's trainer Oribe Velarde, Ortiz took offense to "something" Velarde said. It was quite possibly in relation to the world champion's brother Nelson, who was reportedly arrested last week in Santo Domingo on charges related to cocaine smuggling. Ortiz is rumoured to be estranged from his brother, so if Velarde actually made mention of the situation he certainly touch a raw nerve.

Ortiz lunged at the trainer, grabbed him around the throat and shoved him to the ground before being pulled away by his minders. All the while a bemused Marquez watched on, favouring the gathered media with a countenance that pretty much said "Really?" While it may have simply been a personal issue, one would think with the biggest fight of his life less than a week away Ortiz (38-2(31)) would be above taking this sort of bait. So it could simply be that the pressure is mounting. He campaigned for this fight, insisting after his victory over Joe Brown back in March that his next opponent would be Marquez, even if he had to wait into 2008 for it to happen. Both men have agreed to take part in the IBL's World Championship Conference next year, so their immediate futures are settled.

However, the winner of this Saturday's clash will not only be the world champion, they'll also earn themselves a shot at the IBL belt in their league debut, which will most likely not be until July or August. The loser will be more or less at square one, faced with the task of earning a title challenge with victories throughout '08. Based on their demeanour on Saturday, it's Marquez (44-3-1(36)) who is perfectly fine with all of that. The Mexican superstar has been less than enthusiastic about the fight in the past, seemingly expressing a desire to move to the 140-pound division with his victory over former WBC junior-welterweight champion Javier Gutierrez in July. Marquez has not explained his change of heart, but the level of talent at 135 is the most likely reason. Marquez has never been one to take the easy route and 2008 could very well end being the most challenging year of his career.

Larry Holman is ESPN.com's boxing writer.

02-16-2012, 08:10 AM	#1467
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	*ESPN* *Boxing* Updated: December 3, 2007 10.45 AM ET Ortiz loses cool at MGM press conference By Larry Holman ESPN.com Archive In an indication that defending the title of best lightweight in the world might be getting to him, Francisco Ortiz lost control of his temper at Sunday's MGM press conference to promote his Saturday showdown with Patricio Marquez. During what appeared to be some good natured back-and-forth between Ortiz and Marquez's trainer Oribe Velarde, Ortiz took offense to "something" Velarde said. It was quite possibly in relation to the world champion's brother Nelson, who was reportedly arrested last week in Santo Domingo on charges related to cocaine smuggling. Ortiz is rumoured to be estranged from his brother, so if Velarde actually made mention of the situation he certainly touch a raw nerve. Ortiz lunged at the trainer, grabbed him around the throat and shoved him to the ground before being pulled away by his minders. All the while a bemused Marquez watched on, favouring the gathered media with a countenance that pretty much said "Really?" While it may have simply been a personal issue, one would think with the biggest fight of his life less than a week away Ortiz (38-2(31)) would be above taking this sort of bait. So it could simply be that the pressure is mounting. He campaigned for this fight, insisting after his victory over Joe Brown back in March that his next opponent would be Marquez, even if he had to wait into 2008 for it to happen. Both men have agreed to take part in the IBL's World Championship Conference next year, so their immediate futures are settled. However, the winner of this Saturday's clash will not only be the world champion, they'll also earn themselves a shot at the IBL belt in their league debut, which will most likely not be until July or August. The loser will be more or less at square one, faced with the task of earning a title challenge with victories throughout '08. Based on their demeanour on Saturday, it's Marquez (44-3-1(36)) who is perfectly fine with all of that. The Mexican superstar has been less than enthusiastic about the fight in the past, seemingly expressing a desire to move to the 140-pound division with his victory over former WBC junior-welterweight champion Javier Gutierrez in July. Marquez has not explained his change of heart, but the level of talent at 135 is the most likely reason. Marquez has never been one to take the easy route and 2008 could very well end being the most challenging year of his career. Larry Holman is ESPN.com's boxing writer.