Brandon Rios vs. Victor Ortiz: Will we ever see this matchup?

By Boxing News - 01/04/2016 - Comments

rios0848566By Nate Estrada: The possibilities of potential match-ups are always intriguing. Whether it’s good friends or rivals that put up a good match, fans would be more drawn to a rivalry fight. That way they can expect guaranteed fireworks. Consider Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KO’s) vs. Fernando Vargas (26-5, 22 KO’s) on September 14, 2002.

A long-going personal feud between these two lead up to an amazing fight, known as “Bad Blood”. De La Hoya eventually won by TKO in the 11th round. Drawn to the rivalry, the fight delivered for boxing fans and this type of fight is something we must have again for the sake of boxing history.

Among today’s boxers that have “Bad Blood” theme written all over them are Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (33-3-1, 24KO’s) and Victor “Vicious “Ortiz (31-5-2, 22KO’s).

The two fighters share a bond some may not know. Going back to their youths, both come from Garden City, Kansas, where their boxing careers started. From fighting out of the same gym as amateurs, being sparring partners to even both moving to Oxnard to continue training under Robert Garcia, both Rios an Ortiz have been by each others side in and out of the ring. Then somewhere along their lives, a personal feud changed their relationship and separated them from each other. Once friends, now rivals.

As time went on, we’ve seen both men grown into prolific fighters, earning titles along the way. Rios a former lightweight champion and Ortiz a former welterweight champion. Not to mention both have been part of significant mega fights already. Rios fought Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao a year later after the Filipino superstar got knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez. Ortiz fought Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. back in 2011 and the bout ended in controversial fashion as Ortiz got sucker punched into a KO loss. Having fought elite fighters, they have yet to meet each other in the ring to settle their beef.

Will we ever see this match-up? Back in November, after taking a loss to new and improved Timothy Bradley Jr., Rios mentioned he was hanging up the gloves, claiming he’s been in to many wars. Meanwhile, Ortiz has been on the verge of being back on the top once again.

We’ve already seen them go back and forth trash talking and calling each other out online. Yet, no negotiations for a potential brawl between these two are being made. Why? Their story-line with each other makes a fight we all want to see with their rivalry making it very interesting for fans. It would be very disappointing if boxing fans were left wondering who would win in a fight between these two. Hoping Rios decides to continue boxing, a match with Ortiz would make a great fight for the former stable mates who are made for a bad blood match against each other. Almost something out of a movie.



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