Victor Ortiz and Amir Khan: Heirs to the throne

June 26, 2:55 AMIndianapolis Fight Sports ExaminerDennis "dSource" Guillermo

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Victor Ortiz (AP Photo)

Two of boxing’s most promising young fighters, Victor “Vicious” Ortiz and Amir Khan will be stepping in the ring within a month of each other. Both men will have similar targets, and those are the WBA junior welterweight belts. Ortiz will be fighting for the interim version of the belt this Saturday, June 27 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles against Marcos Rene Maidana while Khan fights for the world title on July 18 versus Andriy Kotelnik in Manchester.

Despite coming from two totally different places and backgrounds, both men have a lot of similarities between them. For starters, both are 22 years young. Both have one defeat in their record, (Ortiz via DQ and Khan via KO) Both are surrounded with a lot of hype and already have solid fan bases early in their careers. Both also train in sunny California, Khan with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym and Ortiz in Oxnard California where he currently resides.

Amir Khan (AP Photo)

The one thing that might ultimately bring them together and set them apart from each other is the WBA junior welterweight title.

Despite being just in the early stages of their careers, Ortiz and Khan have already gained a lot of respect not only from fans and analysts, but also from the sport’s elite as well.

Ortiz’s promoter and recently retired boxing icon Oscar De la Hoya had some very good words to say about Ortiz as reported by ESPN,

"He's young and still learning, but I think we are going to see a fighter filling my shoes in the next five years. Victor Ortiz is in a 140- or 147-pound division where he is going to have all those big fights in the next few years. The way you create big-name fighters is by fighting all the guys who can make big fights like I did. That's what Victor can do."

Ortiz on his part would not have any of it. Already surrounded by comparisons to De la Hoya, Ortiz just humbly shrugs it off and maintains that he is taking things one step at a time. Ortiz responded to The Ring recently when asked about the comparisons to De la Hoya,

“I’m writing my own book. I’m not here to impress anyone. I’m not trying to be the next Golden Boy. I’m not trying to be the next… I’m not the next. I’m the Victor, I’m the new guy you know, that’s making his way or at least trying at it.”

Ortiz’s road to success has also been a trying one. Abandoned by both his parents by age 12, Ortiz had to fend for himself and his younger brother growing up which his trainer Danny Garcia said is one of the reasons that has made Ortiz more determined and mature compared to most boxers his age.

Khan on the other hand has gotten the approval of Manny Pacquiao whom he trains and spars with at the Wild Card Gym under trainer Freddie Roach. Pacquiao has grown fond of Khan and has been training with the Bolton-born fighter after he  suffered his first loss at the hands of Breidis Prescott. Roach has even gone as far as saying Khan has faster hand speed than Pacquiao and definitely reminds him of his star pupil when they both started their partnership. Both men are indeed legitimate and talented pugilists but at this point in their careers, I'd have to give the endge to Ortiz. Ortiz actually reminds me more of Pacquiao than Khan does. He fights with a lot of heart and has power in his fists, while Khan possesses uncanny hand and foot speed which probably got him the comparisons with Pacquiao. Khan's chin is still suspect though.

With that said, both fighters still have a long way to go before they can be considered as two of the sport's elite, but if both Khan and Ortiz continue working hard and winning, a collision course down the road is almost a given. Before they can look towards the fruits the future may bring though, each has to pass the tough tests that stand before them in their next fights. Those answers should come within the next 3 weeks with Ortiz making his case this Saturday as he headlines the boxing card at the Staples center in LA and televised through HBO's Boxing After Dark.

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MANNY PACQUIAO STORY

GO TO PART 1 OF THIS SERIES  - "Introduction"

GO TO PART 2  - "The Exodus"

GO TO PART 3  - "Defining Moment"

GO TO PART 4  - "The Republica Strikes Back 1"

GO TO PART 5 - "The Republica Strikes Back 2" 

GO TO PART 6 - "Picking up the Pieces"

GO TO PART 7 - "Confirmation"

GO TO PART 8 - "Thrilla Back in Manila"