Victor Ortiz's License Approved, Berto Rematch Set To Go

By Rick Reeno

Las Vegas, Nevada - At a hearing which took place on Wednesday afternoon, Victor Ortiz's application for a boxing license was approved by the Nevada State Atheltic Commission. Ortiz (29-3-2, 22KOs) is scheduled to fight Andre Berto (28-1, 22KOs) in a Showtime televised welterweight rematch on February 11 at the MGM Grand. Last April, Ortiz fought his way to a twelve round decision over Berto to capture the WBC title.

The license issued is a "one fight" conditional. And there will be a further review for additional punishment, with a decision being announced within ten days. If the commission feels that further punishment needs to be issued, $100,000 will be held from his purse [reportedly $1 million dollars] for the Berto rematch.

Ortiz was ordered to appear before the Nevada Commission to explain his comments in a recent video interview, where the boxer claimed that he was trying to "break the nose" of Floyd Mayweather Jr. with an intentional head butt during last September's fight at the MGM Grand. Ortiz said the head butt was a reaction to Mayweather's throwing of illegal elbows. Further, Ortiz made comments during the video interview that he would attempt the same tactics in another future fight.

During the fourth round, Ortiz pinned Mayweather against the ropes and intentionally jumped in his head. As a result, Mayweather's mouth was busted open and Ortiz was penalized by referee Joe Cortez. A moment or two later, Ortiz approached Mayweather to apologize, for the second time in the round - and Mayweather caught him cold with a two-punch combo to score a knockout.

During the hearing, Pat Lundvall of the Nevada Commission was heavily questioning Ortiz about his actions in the loss to Mayweather, and a disqualification loss which took place early in Ortiz's career. In Ortiz's eight bout as a pro, which took place in 2005, he was disqualified in the first round after hitting his opponent on the break.

"The [comments in the video interview] were taken out of context. They said that in my next fight that I would break the nose of my opponent. That is not my intention," Ortiz said.  "The frustration took over [during the interview]. I’m very embarrassed by it [making those video comments]. I just want the chance to prove that I'm not a dirty fighter. I will never do something like this again [intentional foul use]....I can promise you that much."