Difficult fight to measure. Neither fighter was weak in any area, Ortiz perhaps moreso. De Jesus would pull a lot of tricks; sliding out of range, springing back with a punch, even down to standing still and unloading recklessly for a few seconds like you wouldn't expect him to. Caught Duran off guard a couple of times with that. I suppose I'd go with Ortiz based on the notion that if he could catch Ismael Laguna, he could catch De Jesus. It'd be the hardest fight of his lightweight career though; Laguna had a bit of a better chin but lacked the power of the Puerto Rican.
Good post and i might agree. It's a great technical fight, involving proper boxing, and proper infighting, proper feinting, just a proper fight where the crowd aren't being screwed over for their money at all, in fact they are onto a bargain here. I just think that Ortiz would pull ahead over the championship rounds, maybe a tremendous exert of pressure would be the trick that does it for him.
Ill go with Ortiz..Manassa has covered it well. Really, really close fight overall I think but Carlos was a little to well rounded and I see him having an answer for whatever Esteban chucks at him.
I pick Ortiz but what a good wee fight. DeJesus would be tricky as hell but Ortiz catches up with him and can out fight him on the inside, the outside battle is quite close so theres my pick Ortiz UD 15
The slick fighting DeJesus would give Ortiz fits. Esteban to an early lead until Carlos buckles down and starts to connect. The late rounds it would be even, with Ortiz' heavier hands starting to wear on DeJesus. Calos by close Split decision.
Although I do see Ortiz being far too well-rounded, DeJesus will catch him and hurt him at some point. Some people on here have said that Ortiz 'was sometimes hurt by lesser punchers' (pretty sure it was during the previous Ortiz vs Arguello' fantasy matchup) but I think Ortiz's beard was as good as they come. Ortiz Decision after 15, although if he really focuses on the body early and shifts up throughout the fight like he does, I wouldn't put it past him to force a late stoppage.
