Malignaggi for Ortiz: He could I think use a sports psychologist – Boxing News
Paulie Malignaggi, the current WBA world welterweight champion, believes Victor Ortiz cannot perform well under pressure. According to Malignaggi, Ortiz’s past shows that he faced problems and made ‘mental’ mistakes when he was under pressure.
Ortiz lost to Josesito Lopez this Saturday, after breaking his jaw in the ninth round. Most critics and analysts thought Ortiz has backed off from the fight once again but he did not. Later on, Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions clarified that Ortiz
did not back off this time but he had to withdraw, as his jaw could not close. Doctors found out two fractures in Ortiz’s jaw, recommending an immediate operation. The pugilist successfully went through the surgery on Sunday and is now recovering.
While most fighters and analysts are against Ortiz’s withdrawal decision, Malignaggi supports it saying, “He [Ortiz] dug his own hole. He made his rep. I’m not saying this to punk him out, but he didn’t perform well under pressure. Now, people judge him
harshly on this…But mentally, he could I think use a sports psychologist.”
According to Malignaggi, Ortiz makes his fights tougher by not utilizing his fighting potential. Malignaggi, who recently challenged WBO welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley to the ring, believes Ortiz can do good in the sport, only if he stops slugging
with his opponents.
It should be noted here that Richard Schaefer has already shown confidence in Ortiz, promising him similar fights in the future as well. Schaefer added, “Those who say, well (Muhammad) Ali (fought with a broken jaw against Ken Norton in 1973), it was different
times, different circumstances. I talked to the ringside doctor after the fight, and he was telling me it was very severe, internal bleeding, and he said it's very dangerous, that Victor could bleed out.”
For now, Ortiz’s future seems uncertain. Against Lopez was his comeback bout and he failed to capitalize on it. His previous withdrawal has already plunged his career in darkness and now another black spot comes in. If Ortiz’s follows Malignaggi’s advice,
he might learn how to be calm and serene in the ring and pressurise his opponents instead of being pressurised.
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