Torreon, Mexico’s Roberto Ortiz begins his 2013 quest for a world championship on Saturday, February 16 when he faces Colombia’s Fidel Monterrosa for the vacant WBC Silver Welterweight Title in the 12-round main event at the Dome of the Municipal Palace in Tulum, Mexico. In the co-featured fight, another 12-round championship contest will be showcased, when Culiacan, Mexico’s Jorge Romero and Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Fidel Maldonado Jr. collide in a fight for Romero’s WBC Silver Latino Lightweight crown. Both fights will be televised on FOX Deportes in the United States and on Televisa in Mexico.
27-year-old Roberto “Massa” Ortiz (27-0-1, 22 KO’s) starting to create quite a buzz amongst boxing fans and media members in Mexico. After winning the vacant WBC Silver Super Lightweight title in June of 2011 by stopping then undefeated Antonio Lozada Jr., he has gone on to defend the belt six times, most recently decisioning Jhean Romero last October. Currently rated number two in the world by the WBC at 140 lbs., a win over Monterrosa will move him a step closer to a world title shot.
Although just 24 years old, Barranquilla, Colombia’s Fidel Monterrosa (29-6, 23 KO’s) is already a seasoned veteran of the sport, with 35 professional fights to his name. A knockout puncher with an aggressive style, Monterrosa is unbeaten in three of his last four fights, with the only loss coming at the hands of former World Champion Pablo Cesar Cano. If he can defeat Ortiz, Monterrosa’s future looks extremely bright.
Currently sporting a seven-fight winning streak that includes six knockouts (three in the first round), Culiacan’s Jorge “Koky” Romero (24-4, 21 KO’s) has made big strides in his career as he approaches his first fight of 2013. A professional since 2006, the 22-year-old WBC Silver Latino Lightweight Champion put together four wins last year and he plans of being even busier in 2013 as he continues his assault on the 135-pound weight class.
One of the United States’ top young fighters, Albuquerque’s Fidel Maldonado Jr. (14-2, 11 KO’s) shows maturity in the ring well beyond his 21 years. After a short rough stretch in 2012 where he lost competitive fights to top prospects Fernando Carcamo and Michael Perez, Maldonado returned last October with a shutout win over Trenton Titsworth that put him back on track. He’ll look to continue his winning ways with a victory in Mexico on February 16.
