By Allan Fox: Former WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KO’s) will be putting it all on the line this Saturday night against fringe contender Josesito Lopez (29-4, 17 KO’s) in a crucial bout for the 25-year-old Ortiz at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Ortiz was already beaten in his last fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. last September when Ortiz’s thinking process short circuited, causing him to first head-butt Mayweather and then drop his guard to apologize. Mayweather didn’t waste the opportunity and blasted Ortiz out with a left-right combination.

Ortiz was supposed to be fighting former IBF/WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto in a rematch, but Berto allegedly tested positive for a steroid and subsequently had to drop out of the fight. Golden Boy Promotions, Ortiz’s promoter, then dug up the 27-year-old Lopez to take the fight. This is a great opportunity for Lopez if he can win this bout, because it will put his name right up there with the top guys in the welterweight division and pretty much ensure him a nice payday against one of the top fighters.

However, Lopez doesn’t have a lot of power and is more known for being a fighter that throws a lot of punches. He can still possibly beat Ortiz if he can outwork him, but I wouldn’t count on that happening. Ortiz has his back against the wall after the way he performed against Mayweather, and he seems to fight well when he’s got a lot of people down on him.

Ortiz has the better hand speed, power and boxing ability. It would be a win for him unless he makes the mistake of backing off and trying to box Lopez instead of slugging it out with him. That’s really the best way for Ortiz to win the fight by slugging. He’s got all the advantages in that area and he’s a lot less effective when he tries to box an opponent.