Former boxing world champions set to face off in El Paso
The boxing world will have its eyes set on a bout between two former world champions that will be showcased in El Paso.
Victor Ortiz of Ventura, California is set to face Devon Alexander of St. Louis, Missouri in a welterweight bout on Saturday, February 17 at the Don Haskins Center.
“We’re warriors up here. Devon is not going to like me much come February 17 and I know I won’t like him much. This is business, because I’m here for the victory,” Ortiz said. “We have mutual respect for each other. He’s a tremendous fighter just like me. We’re going to go all out. I’m going for a victory just like him.”
Ortiz goes into the fight with a 32-6-2 overall record with 25 knockouts, while Alexander stands at 27-4 with 14 knockout wins.
Both fighters are 30-year-old southpaws and were once welterweight world champions in the past decade.
“I’m excited about this fight and I know Victor is too. The fans in Texas are always fantastic and they should expect an action packed night,” Alexander said. “I’m an all-around good fighter and I think my speed and quickness will be the difference. No one can hit me when I’m at the top of my game.”
Ortiz won the WBC welterweight title in April of 2011 after defeating Andre Berto in a thrilling unanimous decision but lost the title later that year in September to Floyd Mayweather. Ortiz is coming off a four-round knockout victory against Saul Corral last July.
Alexander garnered the WBC super lightweight title from 2009 to 2011 and the IBF welterweight title from October 2012 to December 2013. In his last bout, Alexander defeated Walter Castillo by unanimous decision in November.
The fighters are scheduled to be present at a press conference on Wednesday at 11 am at the Wyndham El Paso Airport Hotel.
Former WBA light middleweight world champion and Las Cruces native Austin Trout announced on Twitter that he will also be fighting that same night in an undercard bout prior to the Ortiz-Alexander fight.
“I’m looking forward to fighting close to home. Many of you know I was born here in El Paso and grew up right across the road in Las Cruces, New Mexico,” Trout said. “This is where it all started for me. I’m going back to the roots of where I won a championship. It feels good to bring everything full circle. I’m blessed to be a part of this event.”
El Paso’s Jennifer Han will be defending her IBF world featherweight title in an undercard against Lizbeth Crespo of Argentina.
“I’m so excited to be part of this card. There is so much talent and it’s going to be an amazing show. We’re going to make El Paso extremely proud,” Han said. “I’m a professional fighter and I love what I do. This is what I was born to do. I’m so excited to do this in front of my friends and my family and peers.” .
Tickets for the fight can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.
