Jackie Kallen: An Open Letter to Victor Ortiz

Dear Victor,

Your big fight is coming up. It will be here sooner than one of Larry Holmes’s jab. It is not just a “big” fight. It is the biggest fight of your life. At 24 years old, you are on the brink of boxing greatness.

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Based on your comments of late, you have plenty of confidence. That’s a good thing, but don’t get too cocky and underestimate Floyd. He is a dangerous man. You need to put all the smack on the back burner and just focus.

With 29 wins and 22 knockouts, I believe you can rise to the occasion and do it. It’s not because I dislike Mayweather and want to see him lose. I like Floyd. And it’s not because of your sad story. It’s because you winning this fight will be great for boxing.

You beat the previously unbeaten Berto, so facing someone with an unblemished record obviously doesn’t intimidate you. People expect Floyd to win, so most of the pressure is on him. He has made it seem like facing you will just be another day in the office for him. I think he’s wrong.

I admit I am thinking with my heart more than my brain, but you can do it. You beat Nate Campbell, you smoked Vivian Harris, you beat Peterson (but had to settle for a draw) and the Berto fight earned you the belt.

Your mother left when you were seven years old. Your dad did the same five years later. You had a rougher start that most. But you stopped dealing drugs, got serious about boxing, and look what you have accomplished. You are a role model and a winner.

Mayweather is Goliath and you are David. You had better bring your entire arsenal to this battle. With 41 wins under his belt, Floyd is a giant. True, he hasn’t fought in over a year and hasn’t KOed anyone in almost four years. But he is still the most formidable foe you have faced.

So hold off on the boasting and bragging until after the fight. If you do your job, you will have plenty to talk about.

Good luck, Vicious Victor.

Jackie Kallen is a boxing manager who has been in the business for over three decades. Her life inspired the Meg Ryan film “Against the Ropes” and she was a part of the NBC series “The Contender.” www.JackieKallen.com, www.facebook.com/JackieKallen