How Great Was Manuel Ortiz?

One of the best

 

Well I didn't know that. The word natural springs to mind. A dominant champ at bantam and regularly stepping outside his weight class at a time when there was a lot of tough guys about in the lighter weights.

 

Just wish there was more film about of the fellas of that time. Fighters like Salica, Jeffra, Terranova, Jackie Graves, Harold Dade, Jock Leslie, Jackie Jurich, Lauro Salas, Small Montana.

 

Haven't seen masses of film on him unfortunately...but his resume speaks for itself!!!

Will have a great chance in the upcoming BW tournament!!!

 

Like Jofre, Rose, Olivares, Zarate etc etc he pales in comparison to Khaokor Galaxy :good :rofl

 

He reminded me a lot of Barney Ross in his prime. He was a quick, aggressive boxer who readily mixed at close quarters.

I think his level of opposition is very underrated. They may not be remembered as ATGs or HOFers, but fighters like Carlos Chavez, Luis Castillo, Tony Olivera, Enrique Bolanos, etc. would've been top contenders in any era and probably would've given almost any bantam champ a hard time. And of course, Lauro Salas went on to beat Jimmy Carter and win the LW title only a couple years after Ortiz beat him.

 

The only other Ortiz fight Jacobs had besides the Toweel and 3rd Castillo films is highlights of his bout vs Theo Medina.

 

Actually my only reservation about Ortiz is his level of opposition, not his fault but there are lots of fringe names on his record imo,but not much real "meat".
As you point out some of those opponets may be a lot better than generally considered, but we really don't know imo.

 

He's prety much the top man on this forum when it comes to owning rare footage and knowing about what's out there. I'd trust what he says.