Devon Alexander vs Victor Ortiz Preview Feb. 17th
A pair of southpaws and ex-world champions will be meeting in El Paso, Texas this Saturday, Feb. 17th when Victor Ortiz of Garden City, Kansas takes on Devon Alexander of St. Louis. The 12-round welterweight bout can be seen live in North America on Fox and Fox Deportes. Alexander returned to the ring after a two year layoff last November when he beat Walter Castillo by a 10-round unanimous decision. Ortiz last fought in July when he stopped Saul Corral in the fourth round. It was also Ortiz’s return to the ring after a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he was inactive for the previous 15 months.
Alexander vs Ortiz Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Victor Ortiz +250
- Devon Alexander -300
My Pick
The 31-year-old Ortiz enters the bout with a record of 32-6-2 along with 25 Kos and he’s gone 6-5 in his last 11 contests. Ortiz has been a bit of an enigma with wins against Emmanuel Clottey, Mike Arnaoutis, Antonio Diaz, Nate Campbell and Vivian Harris, but he’s been stopped by Floyd Mayweather, Josesito Lopez, Marcos Maidana, Luis Collazo and Andre Berto and dropped a six-round disqualification to Corey Alarcon. He’s also fought draws with Marvin Cordova Jr. and Lamont Peterson.
Ortiz’s heart has sometimes been questioned and his chin definitely isn’t his strong point since he’s been stopped five times in his six losses. There’s no question that he’s an exciting fighter though. When Ortiz is determined and focused he’s a handful for any opponent and Berto found this out in their first slugfest in 2011 which Ortiz took by unanimous decision. Both boxers were decked twice each in that contest and it was one of the best fights of 2011. Fans are hoping to see more of that out of Ortiz.
Looking at the tale of the tape, Ortiz turned pro in 2004 and has 179 rounds under his belt. He’s 5-feet-9-inches tall and has a wingspan of 70 inches. Ortiz’s knockout ratio is currently 63 percent and he does have pretty good power. He’s a former WBC Welterweight Champion as he took Berto’s title from him in their first fight. However, the then lost it to Mayweather by controversial KO in September of 2011 in his first of three consecutive losses by stoppage.
Former two-division world champion Alexander had fallen below the radar over the past couple of years due to his inactivity and the fact he lost his last two straight fights and three of his last four before beating Castillo just three months ago. The 31-year-old is now 27-4 with 14 Kos and is a former junior welterweight and welterweight world titleholder. He stands just over 5-feet-8-inches tall with a reach of 70 inches, so gives up an inch in height to Ortiz.
Alexander’s fought 221 rounds since turning pro back in 2004 and isn’t really a big hitter with a current knockout ratio of 45 per cent. The former champ has taken on quite a few top boxers such as Amir Khan, Aaron Martinez, Shawn Porter, Jesus Soto Karass, Tim Bradley, Marcos Maidana, Lucas Matthysse, Andriy Kotelnik, Junior Witter, Juan Urango and DeMarcus Corley. Alexander’s never been stopped with his losses being to Martinez, Khan, Bradley and Porter.
Prediction…
This should be an interesting bout since both men are fighting for the second time following extended layoffs and both need another victory to get back into title contention. Alexander has the better boxing skills, but he’s not very effective when he doesn’t let his hands go enough. Alexander has a solid chin and he may need it, while Ortiz has a questionable chin, but is facing a relatively light hitter in Alexander. If Ortiz is motivated and in the right frame of mind, then he can be a handful for just about anybody, but I think Alexander will take this intriguing contest.
Alexander’s boxing skills and chin should result in a win.
Play: Alexander -300 @ BetOnline.ag
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Devon Alexander betting • Victor Ortiz betting