by David P. Greisman
Victor Ortiz’s next fight isn’t yet official, but his next brush with mainstream celebrity is.
That’s because the former welterweight titleholder will have a role in “The Expendables 3,” an action movie franchise that has Sylvester Stallone at its helm and which has featured numerous big-name action stars in its first two installments.
Stallone announced Ortiz’s involvement Tuesday night on Twitter.
This will follow up on Ortiz’s gig on ABC’s reality competition “Dancing with the Stars.”
The 26-year-old last fought in June 2012, suffering a shocking ninth-round stoppage loss to Josesito Lopez that left him with a broken jaw and without a major fight that had been planned against Canelo Alvarez. His record is 29-4-2 with 22 knockouts.
Ortiz could be returning to the ring on Sept. 6 against Alfonso Gomez, according to a report on this website last week.
Stallone is no stranger to the boxing world, of course. He wrote and starred in the “Rocky” movies, and he was involved with boxing reality series “The Contender.”
Other fighters from combat sports have been and will be involved with “The Expendables.” Former UFC champion Randy Couture was in the first and second films. UFC champion Ronda Rousey will be in the third film, Stallone tweeted.
David P. Greisman is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow David on Twitter @fightingwords2 or send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com