(June 9, 2023) – Jamaine Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs) was looking to put the lightweight division on notice tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden’s Theater on the undercard of the highly anticipated bout between Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez.
Unfortunately for fight fans, “The Technician” was forced to withdraw from his lightweight bout against Humberto Galindo due to an injury suffered during training camp that impacted his ability to make weight.
“I injured my back a few weeks ago and it interrupted my training,” explained the disappointed Worcester native. “For 3 weeks, I had severe back spasms and couldn’t train properly. I tried to push my body to the limit as soon as I felt better, but I hit a wall and the last few pounds just wouldn’t come off. I work with a dietician and follow a strict systematic plan to make weight, but I couldn’t follow it properly this time because of the amount of weight I had to lose after the injury.”
The 27-year-old hopes to return to the ring as soon as possible and has a message for the fans who traveled to New York to see him perform on Saturday.
“My team is working on a date in August,” stated Ortiz, who is co-promoted by CES Boxing and Top Rank. “My sincerest apologies to my opponent, my promoters CES and Top Rank, Jimmy Burchfield and everyone who made their way to New York City to see me fight. I tried my best to make weight despite the interruption, but I couldn’t make it safely.”
Ortiz emphasized that he will remain at lightweight as he is confident that he can make the limit given a normal training camp. Stay tuned for a new date over the next few weeks.
