Team Ortiz: We’re Happy With NSAC Ruling, Life Moves On

By Jake Donovan

Victor Ortiz has been anxious to redeem himself in the ring from the moment he was caught off guard and put on his back by Floyd Mayweather in the fourth round of last September’s blockbuster event.

The fight that was supposed to help exorcise those demons was a February 11 rematch with Andre Berto, whom Ortiz defeated last year in his career-best win to date. However, the California-based welterweight was forced to relive his past while appearing in front of the Nevada State Athletic Commission during an ordered hearing Wednesday afternoon.

The session was called to seek clarification for comments made by Ortiz regarding his intentionally headbutting Mayweather in the fourth round, with the suggested intention of breaking his nose.

Ortiz explained himself to the commission, insisting that his remarks from a video provided “were taken out of context. They said in my next fight that I would break the nose of my opponent. That is not my intention.”

Despite playing hardball throughout the session, the commission believed what Ortiz had to say. A 5-0 vote came down in favor of the fighter receiving a one-fight conditional license, with the chance of 10% of his reported $1 million purse for the Berto rematch being held if additional punishment is deemed necessary.

The ruling was the last hurdle in finalizing plans for the rematch, which is set to take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Showtime will televise the 12-round sequel to their April ’11 war that was universally recognized as one of the best fights of the year.

Ortiz’ handlers weren’t too keen on the hearing when first ordered, but came to understand its necessity as the day moved along.

“I don’t think he was singled out. At first I thought he was, but then they summoned Floyd, so I understood that they were just doing their job,” Rolando Arrellano, Ortiz’ manager, informed Boxingscene.com moments after the hearing. “He got choked at the weigh-in, nothing was done. Floyd had the display of unsportsmanlike conduct at the end of their fight – nothing was done.

“But then they called in Floyd just like Victor was called in. They’re looking at Victor and Floyd and doing things to the best of their ability.”

Needless to say, Team Ortiz was pleased with the final outcome of Wednesday’s hearing, even with the potential future threat of a fine being levied.

“The Nevada State Athletic Commission did their job and issued a license based on his overall behavior,” Arrellano stated. “He has a proven track record as a clean, respectable fighter. He doesn’t have the character of a dirty fighter. It was a one-time isolated incident. It happened, he explained what happened. His case was heard, the decision was made and life moves on.”

While Ortiz and those closest to him would have much rather preferred to head straight to training camp rather than deal with the politics, there was a lesson to be learned from all of this. Furthermore, it’s just one more hurdle that is cleared on the road back towards the top.

“In order for there to be a great victory, there has to be a great battle. This is just part of it,” Arrellano summarized of the day’s events.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com