Victor Ortiz doesn't quite fit among all those boxers who pursue fortune and publicity as though they're staggering opponents practically begging to be knocked out.
Although he shoulders more fan expectations and corporate backing than almost any young fighter, Ortiz doesn't boast, preen or court undue attention. Even with his first significant title shot looming in Los Angeles on Saturday night, Golden Boy's glittering prospect conducts his life and career with a stolid determination inside a downright sunny disposition.
``I just try to push it away from me,'' the 22-year-old Ortiz said of the hype machine stalking him daily. ``I don't need that kind of pressure on me. I just kind of take it day by day, and see where it goes. I stay in the gym and keep my nose clean.''
It's the formula that guided Ortiz (24-1-1, 19 KOs) from a broken childhood home in western Kansas to the brink of boxing's biggest prizes, starting with his fight against Argentina's Marcos Maidana at Staples Center.
If Ortiz wins, his potential will swell even further, whether he asks for it or not.
``I'm not here to hold on to anyone's expectations but mine,'' Ortiz said. ``I'm only here to do my job and go out there and show the world I did train hard for this fight. As far as people's comments and their two cents, you can listen to them all you want, but at the end of the day it doesn't really make a difference. It's just a lot of talk.''
Boxing fans have been anticipating Ortiz's ascension for a few years now. He stopped his last eight opponents, including an impressive second-round battering of Mike Arnaoutis three months ago in San Jose, to get this shot at a vacant 140-pound interim title that should lead him further up the ladder of big bouts.
Golden Boy Promotions certainly believes it's Ortiz's time, pushing him onto Los Angeles' biggest stage as a main attraction. Even more is riding on his HBO performance after featherweight titlist Chris John's illness forced the cancellation of the card's other big bout.
``To be a superstar, first you have to have the talent,'' Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said. ``Then you have to be charming, have that perfect smile, and you need to work to help the community. To become a superstar, you have to have all these ingredients, and Victor Ortiz has them all.''
Staples Center has hosted its share of champions in its decade of existence, and that's not just the Lakers. Southern California natives Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley have headlined there, along with Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr., Erik Morales - and now Ortiz, who lives in Ventura County and should draw several thousand fans.
``It's definitely something when you're fighting and representing something so big,'' Ortiz said. ``It's kind of cool. I'm blessed to have an opportunity like this at such a young age.''
Ortiz joined Golden Boy last year, and the company quickly recognized him as a potential superstar. With most of Golden Boy's top fighters either retired (De La Hoya) or on the back side of memorable careers (Mosley and Hopkins), Ortiz is its brightest immediate hope for an elite fighter.
If Ortiz finishes Maidana (25-1, 24 KOs) in impressive fashion, he'll become even more intimidating - and even more financially attractive - to the top names at 140 and 147 pounds.
But the fight also is a golden opportunity for Maidana, a tremendous puncher who has fought mostly in Germany in recent years. Maidana, whose only loss is a sketchy split decision against Andreas Kotelnik last February, will make his American debut.
``I'm going to go out there and test his punch to see if he's really as strong as they say he is,'' Maidana said. ``I consider Victor to be on my same level. He's basically on the same level as when I fought against Kotelnik. He's a good boxer, and I'm very anxious for the fight.''
