Josesito Lopez: “Poor, skinny Mexican from Riverside did it!”

Josesito Lopez, surrounded by his supporters, has one arm raised by his promoter Ken Thompson (L), the other by referee Jack Reiss after defeating Victor “Vicious” Ortiz during their 12-round bout for the vacant WBC Silver Welterweight Title at the Staples Center on June 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA., Saturday, June 23, 2012

At his post-fight Press Conference, Josesito Lopez, the new WBC Silver Welterweight Champion stood tall and expressed his heartfelt thanks to his supporters. Like the rise and fall of the prices on the New York Stock Exchange, Lopez’s stock went up and his opponent’s went down. Lopez (30-4, 18 KOs) made Victor Ortiz (29-4-2, 22 KOs) quit after nine rounds. How did he do it? He broke his jaw.

Early on, with both boxers banging away, it appeared Ortiz was the stronger of the two and held an upper hand on the punch stats. After checking later, at the conclusion of their fight, we discover the scoring did in fact favor Ortiz 86-85, 87-84, and 88-83. As in past fights, Lopez demonstrated he’s no quitter and kept coming. Yes, at times he was getting clobbered but he kept getting better and better as the fight progressed.

Josesito Lopez (R) lands a right to the head of Victor Ortiz during their WBC Silver Welterweight title fight at Staples Center on June 23, 2012 in Los Angeles. Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images for Golden Boy Promotions

Victor Ortiz (R) lands a left hook to the chin of Josesito Lopez during their fight at Staples Center on June 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA. Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Josesito Lopez is shown ducking under a punch thrown by Victor Ortiz during the third round. Lopez ended up winning by TKO after breaking Ortiz’s jaw. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Victor Ortiz lands a straight right to the head of Josesito Lopez. Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images for Golden Boy Promotions

Could this have been the punch? Josesito Lopez (L) lands a right uppercut to the chin of Victor Ortiz during their WBC Welterweight bout at Staples Center on June 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA. Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images for Golden Boy Promotions

Josesito Lopez lands a right to the jaw of Victor Ortiz during the 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Silver Welterweight Championship at Staples Center on June 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Lopez won by TKO after breaking the jaw of Ortiz.

Here’s a photo taken by Laz Valenzuela a dear friend of Josesito Lopez (C) with his buddies Alex Viramontes (L) and Little Ricky (R). It seems like a hundred years ago when these youngsters were taking their first steps to master the sport and then compete in the USA Amateur Boxing shows.

Victor Ortiz listens to his trainer Danny Garcia who is urging him to continue on even after having his jaw broken by Josesito Lopez. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

It appears the discussion of the broken jaw became heated. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Incredulous by the turn of events, Rolando Arrellano, Victor Ortiz’s manager, stands to yell, “What tha!” after witnessing the early stoppage. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

In respect to that serious injury, the Ortiz handlers can now scrap all plans of having Ortiz embarrassed by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in that September 15th PPV show for the WBC Super Welterweight title. After his last two performances (both losses) Ortiz will now have to take a back seat as far as a shot at the title.
Josesito Lopez breaks Victor Ortiz’s jaw

In the Co-feature, Lucas Matthysse (31-2, 29 KOs) of Junín, Buenos Aires, Argentina, scored a fifth round TKO victory over the former multi-division world champion Humberto Soto (58-8-2, 34 KOs) of Tijuana, B. C., Mexico.

Lucas Matthysse (L) is shown landing the KO punch on Humberto Soto’s chin. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Humberto Soto is knocked out by Lucas Matthysse during the 12-round WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight title bout at Staples Center on June 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Since Matthysse had the shorter reach and entered the match with a record of 3-2 in his last five matches, and Soto hadn’t lost in almost four years, the trap was set for all to wager on Soto and take advantage of the Bookie’s generous 2-1 underdog odds. Hopefully you didn’t fall for this trap.

In Round one, Soto began well and from a distance used his jab and straight right. He closed out the round with a good combination.

He also looked good in Round two and had the higher work rate until Matthysse came on in the final minute to land a pair of solid right hands. A right hand at the bell, sent an off-balance Soto down from what was correctly ruled a trip.

The slow starting Matthysse connected with some hard shots in Round three. They continued to trade blows in Round four with Matthysse landing the heavier shots.

In Round five Matthysse went both upstairs and to the body. Then a three-punch combination sent Soto stumbling back into the ropes. A follow-up right sent Soto down for the first time in his career. He made it to his feet at the count of seven and held the top rope to keep his balance. He was allowed to continue and immediately went to his corner with the round having ended. Then came the surprise. The fight was stopped at the request of Soto’s corner as he was still badly dazed and would not respond to his corner.

Jermell Charlo (L) throws a left hook at Denis Douglin during their Junior Middleweight bout at Staples Center on June 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA. Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images for Golden Boy Promotions

Junior middleweight Jermell Charlo (18-0-0, 9 KOs)scored a one-punch knockout over Denis Douglin (14-2, 8 KOs) in the fifth round of their scheduled 10 rounder.

In that fifth round, Charlo landed a counter right hand to the head, that dropped Douglin to the canvas. Douglin  struggled to get back on his feet and when he did, he wobbled towards the ropes. Referee Wayne Hedgepeth promptly called an end to the bout.

Omar Figueroa (R) lands a straight left to the head of Alain Hernandez (L) during their Super Lightweight fight at Staples Center on June 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA. Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images for Golden Boy Promotions

Mismatch of the night: Time of stoppage: 1:34 of the first round. Junior welterweight Omar Figueroa (18-0-1, 15 KOs) from Weslaco, Texas made quick work of Alain Hernandez (18-11-2, 10 KOs) from Tijuana, B. C., Mexico. After driving him backwards into the ropes, referee Jose Cobian stepped in to call for the early stoppage. For Hernandez, this was his fourth straight loss.