Former WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz (31-6-2, 24 KOs) has promised that he's redictated himself to boxing and plans to make another major title run, starting this weekend.
Ortiz will return to the ring on Sunday, July 30th, in a comeback clash against Mexico's Saul Corral (24-9, 15 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight matchup. The bout will headline a Premier Boxing Champions event, on FS1 and FOX Deportes from the Rabobank Theater in Bakersfield, California.
Televised coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and will feature super welterweight contender Justin DeLoach (17-1, 9 KOs) taking on former title challenger Fernando Guerrero (28-4, 20 KOs) in a 10-round showdown and 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas (1-0, 1 KO) in his second pro fight.
Ortiz, only 30 years old, has been out of the ring since last April when he was knocked out in his rematch with Andre Berto. Ortiz has lost four of his last six, all four by knockout, but feels he is capable of coming back strong to be a top player in the welterweight ranks.
"I still feel like I can be one of the best in the 147-pound division. It's there for the taking. There are some gifted fighters in there and I respect them, but I believe that I have what it takes to be right up there. I'm a complete fighter," Ortiz said.
"I've been written off before. People have said I should retire since my first loss. I came back from that loss and became a champion. I don't care what people have to say about me. I could go act full-time if I wanted, but I truly love this sport.
"When I took a step back, I realized that boxing has always been my true passion. I can't walk away from something that I'm so gifted at and that I enjoy doing so much. I never get too worried about who is going to be in front of me on fight night. I just need there to be a ring. I'm excited to get back in there and get in the swing of things. I'm ready to fully pursue my goal of getting another world title."
