You have so much class, Chris. Your posts on these boards are can't miss and nothing short of astounding.
It’s been such an honor. Truly some of my favorite life experiences. There’s some more great ones lined up, will keep you guys posted. But they are fighters of the same cloth as Zarate and Ortiz. As fighters and people.
Here's an interview from a few years back. One can see the Teo Cruz fight is a bit of a sore spot with him. Touching Gloves with…Carlos Ortiz - The CBZ Newswire (cyberboxingzone.com)
Looking forward to seeing the other great fighters that you've met. I saw you got to meet Felix Trinidad, another fan favorite. I'm curious to know what the experience was like when you met him. Seems like a really humble guy. Would be great to meet guys like Orlando Canizales, Julian Jackson, and Ricardo Lopez, who are also personal favorites of mine. Great fighters and a wonderful personality.
It’s so nice to see that Ortiz keeps in touch with Elorde’s family even after Gabriel Elorde passed away. That’s how much they both really respect each other. Now it’s making me feel a little homesick.
This put a big smile on my face. Ortiz was one of the most well-rounded, complete fighters I've ever seen and is a genuinely good man as well. Meeting him in the future would be an honor.
I’ve met Tito three times. Honestly, he’s the nicest I’ve ever met. One of the nicest people I’ve ever met really. When you consider he’s a superstar and everything and the way he interacts with his fans is really touching. He’s a gentleman. I showed him a photo from when I met him after the Mayorga fight and he was astonished and sort of bowed to me with his hands together. Thanked me. That’s how he reacted to my traveling to see him fight Mayorga when I first met him. Then I saw him again Sunday and right away before I even spot him he’s like “Oooohhh” and greets me warmly again. He is so warm to his fans and will (and does) sign everything and poses for every photo. Doesn’t turn anyone down. After the Mayorga fight his team is asking him to leave since it’s late and he kept asking for more time to accommodate every fan. Same in AC this weekend, my friend John who works for the ACBHOF said it was hard to get him from A to B because of his wanting to greet every single person. His wife said it’s like that in PR. I’ve been told by people in PR he just shows up in neighborhoods giving stuff out and there’s no cameras or nothing. Just a great dude. Always happy and full of energy and excitement. Finito, I did meet one time. He’s a nice, quiet guy.
This is incredible. I love hearing stories like this. Tito really comes across as someone who really appreciates his fans and will take the time to be around them. Most of the time you always hear stories about these athletes that push fans away, or they have body guards around them, or you would have to pay if you even want to interact with them at all. Just hearing this about Trinidad really makes me want to meet him too. I actually have a friend who had the chance to meet with Manny Pacquiao after he fought Thurman and she had a much similar experience with him. Really nice guy who adores his fans. She also got to see him again while he was training for Spence (before he pulled out) and he immediately recognized her. I would have loved to have gotten the chance to meet him in person, although he does have a lot of people around him so it's a lot harder to try and and get to meet with him without asking for permission from his camp first.
Did you get the chance to actually talk to him and ask questions? He does come across as someone who is really quiet and reserved gentleman. Juan Manuel Marquez is also someone who I would like to meet in person. Just a nice family man.
Finito it was very quick. Marquez, many times I’ve spoken to. He’s all class. Much like Tito, has time for everybody. He lives in Miami now.
Wish you had more time to talk to Finito. Not surprising about JMM, he's always been a class act. I had no idea JMM lives in Miami. Perhaps you should also schedule a dinner meeting so you can ask questions and write a piece on him as well.
Ricky Hatton is someone whose company I've been in many, many times. Can't fault him at all. Signs absolutely everything and is more than happy to pose for photos, even when he's out enjoying himself. Watched Pacquiao v Marquez IV with him in Hong Kong and he was genuinely concerned for Manny's well being. All round good guy.
