This match up is very interesting IMO. My thoughts on Ortiz In the Castillo footage. I dont think Ortiz does too well against Castillo in all honesty. I think hes quite lackdasical defensivly compared to the Toweel footage. He uses a cross arm defence and headmovement, he looks to block the jab with his right hand or to slip to the side, using both manuevers he is effective at getting inside IMO, witht he slip he tends to throw a long left then fall in after it, with the parry he seems to let a combo go then fall in after it. The way he falls in is like Duran, the way he fires off his shots and under the cloak of them gets inside. On the inside he positions himself very well, he gets his head under his mans shoulder where his head cant be hit and he gets his arms down the middle so he can get his shots off and force his man to go wide. feet are placed well allowing him to move backwards or forwards easily and still being able to punch from his position. Another technique he uses to get inside is that he feints with his shoulders alot and looks to bring his man onto powershots using his feints than slides in after throwing them. His accuracy is also pretty good and his right hand is particular sharp. His body punching is good also, as he works it regulary to wear you down but can also take someone out with a well placed body shot, he works his right hand to the body particular well IMO. One thing that surprised me that I didnt remember was that he didnt mind being pushed back and actually did well going backwards whilst inside and did some nice work off the ropes. My thoughts on Zarate Hes a big tall, rnagy stand up boxer-puncher. Hard puncher definitly dangerous with either hand (especially the left) and to head and body. I like the way he keeps the pressure on subtly by being in front of his opponent by doing something either moving or feinting, he fights the whole 3 minutes. He also has a very educated left hand he is able to jab and hook and even uppercut with it whilst leading and can almost do anything off his jab, involving the left hand. The left hook to the body is beautiful, I love the way he whips it in and steps forward as he does it, really powerful shot. However, he is not the best judge and controller of distance, he is too often fighting at the wrong rnage, especially inside where he would do better if he got abit more room and leverage on his shots. Although saying that he mixes up his combos really well, he throws in hooks,uppercuts with either hand and mixes it to head and body. He is dangerous with every punch to any area IMO, a real banger. He also takes a great shot and has good stamina ('fighting' 3 minute sin the round demonstartes this and highlights it aswell as tiring oppoennts). One thing I dont like is he can be vulnerable straight down the middle to the jab which isnt a god sign from such a good fighter. Anyway, I really think he matches up well to Olivares, he can take Olivares bombs, hurt Olivares and outlast him. I also think Zarate vs Manuel Ortiz is a very interesting match up. So lads, who you got? Zarate vs Ortiz over 15. Personally I think this is the best match up out of any 'top Bantamweights H2H'. I think both guys have strengths and weaknesses that contrast well with each other. A guy Ortiz will come to Zarate to get inside and that to be is a 'no-no' but Ortiz has a lovely jab and can hit Zarate with it and then fall in, Zarate I feel needs to keep this at range but ruggle to do and probably fall into Ortiz's trap of going on the inside and pushing Ortiz backiz does most of his work on the inside going back where he can take advanatge of his good fooot positioning and come back with ice right uppercuts and bang the body with hooks. Zarate however gets the momentum coming forward and can mix up his combos well and with Ortiz's croos-arm guard may find a spot for his left hook to the body and as ortiz leans his head into the other guys shoulder a Zarate uppercut could do some damage if Zarate steps back. Right now, I'm leaning towards an Ortiz decision. Just think he might be abit too coy for Zarate in controlling the ring and distance and can win the inside battle, although a hard shot from Zarate could turn it on its head. Anyone else got thoughts on it?
Very different fighters stylistically, from what I've seen of Ortiz. However, given that the footage against Toweel (who coincidentally put in one of the worst losing efforts I've ever seen in his first fight against Jimmy Carruthers) is a losing effort, I don't really get your point on that. Based on what I've seen, I'm not sure Ortiz really had the footwork to work his way in on an out-fighting boxer-puncher like Zarate. *cue brownpimp coming in and telling me Ortiz had the better resume*
Also, Zarate not the best judge of range? Maybe if you mean it in a literal sense, but I thought he was quite excellent in that regard. His ability to close distance (once he'd gauged the opponent) was supreme. I don't think he'd have been the consumate KO artist/finisher he was without that ability.
I thought he put up a good fight with Toweel looked even on the film. Toweel was a good champion remember, but his loss to Carruthers is a poor effort but the rematch he looks alright just Carruthers is too fast for him. I get your point about his lack of footwork, I like the way he falls in after his own punches, it is quite effective at getting inside. Zarate was a good judge of distance when he had his man, but when his opponent took controll of the distance he tended to agree with them and fight at their preferred distance IMO. I felt too often he traded inside or at mid-range when he could have stepped back and got more leverage on his shots.
I guess it really depended on the opponent, though he typically always found the range at some point, even against top technicians like Martinez and Davila.
I suppose that is true, he always did eventually found the range. Like I said beforeeckon after a while Zarate might time those right uppecuts and start to hurt Ortiz.
I can see where El Buija is coming from though, when he did get his distance he was brilliant and he did eventually get the distance right, but when he never he fell in alot.
