Coffeez with Joe Shalaby - Fresh Off His Bare Knuckle Win | Victor Ortiz | Coffeez with Joe Shalaby Ep. 309

Episode Date: July 23, 2026

Former world champion Victor Ortiz sits down with Joe. Abandoned at seven, living alone as a kid, foster care, the fight that sent him to juvie, and the woman who changed his life. Then the title shot he chased against everyone's advice, going back to work the next day as champion, the Stallone phone call he thought was a prank, the Mayweather press tour, and the faith that rebuilt him.New episodes every week. Pour up.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

One, two. What's that? Nice to see you, nice to meet you. So nice to meet you. What can I grab? I'm up for a coffee, just a black coffee on ice. Black coffee, no, no, what about cream sugar? No, no, no, no.

I'm kind of, I'm trying to watch my physique a little bit. Watch your physique? Okay, come on now. Okay, well, can you please have some chocolate? I saw the chocolate. I saw, you know what? Take some. No, no, no, no, I can't.

Why? I have some. You're watching that figure. The truth is, I'm a boxer. I'm a very, you know, big in the athletic. So I'm just trying to cut some pounds. Okay. Prior engagement, so yeah.

Prior engagement, tell me about it. What do you have coming up? So I grab a box of strawberries and a box of all kinds of different veggies and I just put them from here to there, here to there. Yeah. Just, you know, just box them up. And that's the kind of box for you. You're confusing me, Victor.

I don't know what you're talking about. No, I'm just joking. I'm talking about. What are you doing? All right, all right. Cheers. Boom. Boom.

Yeah, let me take you over here to Joe. Come on over. Joe, we have Victor. Hey, Joe. How are you, brother? Thank you so much for coming, bro. Oh, it's a pleasure. Thank you for having me.

What's up, everybody? Welcome to a special episode of coffees. I'm your host, Joe Shelby. I'm so honored to be sitting down with former champion. Please welcome the one, the only, Victor, Oh, thank you, my brother. Appreciate it. All right, Victor.

I like to start my show off with the same question. And this is awesome to hear from someone like you. What's your morning routine? Man, morning routine actually, it's surprising to many, right? I wake up at 3 in the morning every day. Every day? Every day. What if you're stepped at 11?

You know, I've just, it's not, I don't know, for some reason, my clock is just there. Conditioned. 3 in the morning, I don't know, since I was a kid, you know, so 3 a.m. Sometimes I do 3.33, just a weird thing of buying or different. And from there, I start with Bible study on my own. I know it's a little different than many. and then from Bible study it's my run it's my run you know so my run comes in about 5 a.m. It's still dark out.

How many miles are you running? I do seven, seven to eight, just a typical seven to eight every day. Just, I don't know. It keeps me feeling good. Nice. Just a seven to eight mile run. And then you start training. Yeah, I'll take about two hours and then I'll go to the gym.

So my first training session is 10 a.m. 10, 10, 11 once in a while. I like to just be in the gym early, you know. And, well, depends on my coaches, because sometimes my coach likes to sleep in. Sorry, coach. Nobody's going to work as hard as you, bro. Well, when I was a kid, I had a boxing coach named Ignacio Avila. We called him Bucky.

He was known by Bucky. So when I fight, you see my trunk say Bucky. Bucky said, Jr., if you're on time, you're late. and the early bird gets the worm. So that gentleman may rest in peace is who led me to three in the morning always. And just growing up with no parents, that just kind of instilled in me.

And he said, no one's working harder than you, junior. If they're waking up, if you're sleeping in, you know, they're working more than you. So it just kind of stuck with me and I just run with it, you know. I don't really wait for no one.

And if you're going to say, oh, yeah, I'm going to join you at three in the morning, If it's 255, you're late. You know, I have no time. I'm just, I'm stretching out. I'm doing my thing already. Timeless words of wisdom, man. That's powerful.

That was all from Bucky Abilah, man. I mean, that was my dad, my grandpa, my mentor, my boxing coach, my disciplinarian. He was a two-time Purple Heart in the Army, veteran, and he was a boxer in the 30s as well. So it's crazy. Your story's crazy, you know, from foster care to world champion. in. Yeah. And you went through just a ton of hardship.

And we talked about, you know, your rise from all the various hardships. I mean, from what happened to you with raising your brother to, you know, various convictions right before fight. I mean, your story is just crazy. But at the end of it, you're triumphant. You're a man of God. You're a man of honor. And, you know, it's something that's so inspirational.

I think the audience is going to love to hear your story. and I hope it's, you know, it's no holds bar today. You go all in. No problem. So let's start with, what do you really excited about right now? What is Victor Ortiz waking up at 3 in the morning and excited to dominate the day for? Another day that God has given me, man, realistically. That's my go-to, followed by my children.

You know, and far from now when boxing's over, I don't want to be remembered as the, oh, the greatest world champion, the this and that. No, he's a great dad, a God-fearing man. That's what I'm looking forward to. But at this very particular time, my fight that's coming, man. And I've been working extra. I know the gentleman that I'm fighting, I know he's no walk in the park. I understand that.

I know what I signed up for. But that makes two of us. And I don't think he thinks you're a walk in the park either. Yeah, well, words at times tend to carry weight. I know what I say carries weight and I don't go out there to say something that I don't mean you know I think some things were said misinterpreted maybe

but whatever the case may be I'm ready you know I train a little bit of boxing and we box with big gold gloves you know it's like what is the difference between training regular training and boxing and bare knuckle training you know there's there's quite a bit of difference man I'll tell you this much, I've been boxing since I was seven years old, right?

Seven years old. I'm 39 now. But from seven to just this past year, right? I've, you know, I protect my hands. I've broken my hands when I fought and obviously training. But this time around, it's like I got calluses now from training without gloves. and man that hurts I never understood like

realistically how much it would hurt without gloves it really hurts like every punch but then you think about it and it's like you know what every punch that comes out of me is dedicated to my children and to my wife

just to hey I'm paying I'm paying the dues you know slowly but surely daily God bless the phone I don't recommend it no I just saw my first bare knuckle fight

and It's crazy. I mean, it's the craziest of all combat sports. Yeah, it's definitely different. You know, I believe if I wasn't a God-fearing man, I'd probably be really scared. But at this point in time, I'm reassured I'm okay. What's your biggest fear going into that ring right now?

At this point in time, there is no fear, realistically. But then again, I can recapitalize on a couple things. I mean, just kind of thinking of, oh, whoa, you might get cut. You might break a hand. You could definitely put a plethora of thought and things, but no, you just got to know that you've worked hard. You've paid your dues and you're here. You're present.

So what does this new life of success look like to you as a father, as a husband, as a servant of the Lord? You know, it means a lot. It's definitely not the same. Once upon a time, I lived worldly. I did everything worldly. At this point in time, I have a congregation that stands behind me at New Life of Oxnard, along with Pastor Steve Abraham.

And man, those are some beautiful people, beautiful folks, you know. They spread the gospel like me, except way better. You would be surprised how much you're spreading the gospel right now, the way you carry yourself. and really the way you just speak joy. You know, like you've went through hell and back. And guess what? You're triumphant.

You're joyful. Well, you know, I've read along the lines and I've seen and I've witnessed, right? You have to live by the fruits of the spirit. Now, I don't have them by memory. It's like 12 or 13 or maybe more. I don't know. I don't know. See, maybe I'm wrong.

I don't know. It's a lot to remember. And mind you, I love, joy, peace. Yeah, peace, happiness, patience. Anyway, the bottom line is this. I fail daily, bro. Yeah.

I fail daily. I bet you. Oh, man. No, I mean, that's why I need Jesus, man. We all do. You know, every day I pick up my cross and I follow the man. And that's what I'm trying to instill in my three sons, royal Malachi Ezekiel. I try to definitely go by what God has shown me, what Jesus has showed me.

And, you know, I try to live righteous. Am I righteous? No, absolutely not. Will I inherit the kingdom of heaven? I don't know. I would hope so. Yeah. But that's what we shoot for.

Yeah. All we can do is just keep fighting. Yes, sir. That's all we do. I think boxing really teaches you the fruits of the spirit. Because you get punched and you get up. And you get punched and you get beat up and just keep getting up. I agree, man.

The fruits of the spirit is something that is really instilled through the game of boxing. I mean, with the discipline alone, you know. All right, Victor, take us back. Take us back to Kansas. What was it like being a young fighter in Kansas growing up in the middle of nowhere with foster parents? You know, it's interesting. They've called it a foster system. they've called it a this and that throughout the years.

And, you know, I've allowed it to a certain extent, but the bottom line is when I was seven, I went to school, a regular day. My brother, my sister as well, we all went to school, came home, but when we got home, it was to an empty household. Mom's stuff was all gone, cleared out, the closet, everything. By this point in time, I was always in school. right of course but it was one of those things where I always stayed after school because there was snacks and stuff but by this point in time my mom obviously being gone now my dad was never really

around because he was a truck driver so he was always out doing loads or whatever it was that particular day getting home my sister Carmen she came in crying and I remember my brother they were both crying. And I said, why are you guys crying? My mom says, my mom's, my sister says, I called her mom for a little bit. My sister says, my mom's gone. Junior, my mom's gone. She's crying. My brother's crying. I said, she's not gone. She's working. What are you talking about? And she's like, no, junior, my mom is gone. And I was like, no, she's not. She's at work, dude. Well, no. My mom packed up her stuff, unannounced, nothing. She just left. my dad was out working and then dad got home a couple hours later I was actually happy because for the

first time of my life I got to sit down and watch a whole episode of Power Rangers I love the I love the red Ranger you know at the time and I just remember like reality really struck because we went into my mom's room and dad's room and everything was just it was gone it was cleared out I just remember, I can still remember like it was yesterday, you know, my, uh, my sister and brother, they just, they were, man, they were like, mom's gone. And I was like, she's not gone. But, you know, throughout that time, I, my sister became my mom, you know, and then, uh, my brother, I was like, like a dad to my brother because now my sister had to step up and be mom to us. And then my brother didn't have because dad wasn't around he was always driving his rigs or doing

boozing or whatever he wanted to do so it got really rough around that time where dad would come home you know off of some some drinking and stuff and uh i was i was this favorite guy to take take things out on you know but as i grew up you know i started having so much rage within me, but I was always a straight-A student. I was going to Kenneth Henderson Middle School now. I was a straight-A student. I would go to the after-school program because they had snacks. By this point in time, my sister had been raising us. And from there, I'd walk down to Bucky, to Bucky's gym. And I just remember my brother would hang out with his friends. And I'd walk down to Bucky's gym. And I just remember, my brother would hang out with his friends. I'd hang out with my friends. But thanks to my friends

as a little kid, which I still am very grateful for. I have a guy named Brandon Carmichael. We talk all the time. I mean, we go some months without talking. We pick up where we left off. Just what two weeks ago, I got to talk. I got to see Kyle Brown. He was down in Durantra Cucamanga just randomly. It was awesome to see him. Diego Lazzarin Anthony Rodriguez Elias Vargas And I remember

I told those guys When I was a kid I was 13 I said hey bro I'm gonna be world champion one day Those guys They like borrow clothes Shoes

Their mom's fed me They never judge me They said get it Vic You could do it They never said Nah daw You won't do nothing And it was like

I told the future Because Some years later I called them And I said hey doc and when I said uh I won't be world champion I said pack your bags mother we're doing it this weekend dog they're like what I was I told you you guys don't be wearing Hugo Bosch suits ringside everything paid for you just like you had my back

I have yours so I had a a good group of my friends show up Elias you know he's married he has his kids and stuff. It was one of those things where I should have put it out there to make sure he came, but he has his family. Anthony Rodriguez, we had lost contact. So three of those dudes showed up, and we came in, man. We conquered the world. But my boys cried. They were like, dude, you did it. Anyway, we fast forwarded, but around that time in Kenneth Henderson, having good grades, a lady that I would see every day after school was my tutor. That tutor is Sharon Ford. She said, sweetheart, you have good grades, but it seems like you're fairly mad at the world.

I go, no, I'm not mad. She goes, you don't dress too well. I'm like, I, it's okay. My hair was always long and just, I wasn't the most. best dressed kid but I was very respectful I was always you know doing my homework but more importantly I was there for the snacks you know I want my snacks so fat kid at heart man I wanted my snacks so one day Sharon Ford says Victor yes ma'am she says you come every day after school why

I said, you guys have snacks? She was, well, you also do all your homework? I was like, yes, ma'am. She says, do you need a ride? No, ma'am? She says, I followed you a couple days ago. You live pretty far. I'm like, yeah, yes, ma'am.

She says, let me give you a ride next time. I was like, no, you don't want to do that. she says no no i want to i was like well you could take me out there but yeah you know just drop me off a little far or something you know she didn't realize that the kids she's given a ride to that day that said don't follow me they had already boarded up the house because mom was long gone bills hadn't been paid dad hadn't been around those boards are on the windows so my brother at that moment i

we would uh we'd go into the house man and uh winter time would come around we're so cold man i'll hold on to my brother and i say temo it's okay i'm still here dude i got you but it gets me man because i've been there for this for my brother you know since he was a kid i had to be a dad i didn't know how to be a brother I was mad at the world just like he was. I was a little kid supposed to take care of another little kid, you know? I had this do by the hand. I want my mom, shut up.

She's not here. She's gone, dude. Leave it alone. And I was really mean. It's really hurt. But Bucky pushed me with that pain and that hurt to do something with myself. At 13, that year he says, Miho, Jr., you need to come to my house after school.

Yes, sir. yeah okay God bless his soul but he had the lawnmower outside man he had the lawnmower he had the gas tank he says junior today

you're gonna mow my yard and I said okay he had scrapers so I could scrape the paint off of his off of his house and I said Bucky is this some kind of Mr. Miyagi stuff oh no no my boy just you know, just listen.

Go ahead. So I did all the front yard, all the backyard, and he came outside, and he goes, Miho, Jr., you know, oh, thank you. He goes, Miho, Jr., you're, uh, you miss a spot over there, miho. And you missed a spot over there, too. It's like 90, maybe 100 degrees outside. I said, I'm sorry, Bucky, I didn't see those. I'll get them for you.

All right, Jr. Would you like some lemonade? Yes, please. Brings me some lemonade. Well, I was done cutting the grass. And he says, all right, miho, we're going to go train shortly. Yes, sir? And then he says, I have something for you, miho.

And I go, okay. I was excited. I thought I was going to be like $5 or something because, you know, $5 is $5, man. I'm sorry, but. Still $5. $5 is $5, man. Shoot. No, it gave me a sonic card with a free ice cream cold.

I said, Bucky, you shouldn't have, you know. I was excited for a second. I mean, I was excited anyway, because I got my free ice cream cone, but, but I was like, thank you, Buck. He's like, yeah, you know what, Julia, just hang out, hang around for a little while. You know, I'm going to take it to the gym with me, yes, sir. No problem. By this point in time, the lady, the day goes by, the lady reaches out to Bucky and says, you know that this young this boy's been living by himself.

Bucky already knew, but Bucky insisted that I go stay with him, live with him, and I said, no, it's okay, Bucky. I think, you know, just being there for my brother and being there with my sister, it just meant a lot because by this point in time, now I'm 13, my sister actually got pregnant at 13, delivered at 14. So by this point in time, we have a baby there, you know. So I was around my sister all the time and taking care of my nephew, Isaac. So there's just three of you?

You're all kids in a house that's boarded up? Yeah. Well, no, no. My sister was already, she moved on with her boyfriend at the time. By this point in time, she was interesting because she said, Junior, Junior, bro, I know I said I would never leave you, but I'm leaving. I said, what are you? mean? I'm moving to Denver. I skipped a big part though. Let me just, I'll come back to that part.

So this woman that reached out to Bucky was Sharon Ford. She says, you know that Victor, that young man is living without parents, right? Bucky said, well, I kind of got a little bit of that, but I didn't ask. So she broke it all down. This lady, Sharon, that followed me to the house, boarded up place followed me the next morning at school she has a conference meeting and all my teachers are there and i walked in and i said whoa they called me through the intercom whoa what the is going on watch your mouth and i go i didn't do nothing to nobody and as far as i'm concerned i have a's on all your guys's classes so what why am i here sit down i'm not sitting down i didn't do nothing sit down i was very rebellious

I do. Sit down. Yeah, but come on, man. I didn't do anything to nobody. I, I, I look, check all the, check all your guys, all you guys is classes. I'm passing everything. I have straight A's. It said, we know. We know what. We know. What do you know? Now Mrs. Ford, Sharon comes up. She grabs me. We know, sweetheart. You know what? We know that you've been by yourself. I was like, oh. Yeah. Yeah, it's been some years. Hey, but realistically, I don't want, I don't need to be treated like some, some different by any of you teachers, okay? I appreciate you guys concerned, but no, I, I'm gonna, I'm just gonna go. Just forget you guys saw or heard anything that some of the teachers were crying.

Some of the teachers were like, oh my goodness. And I go, No, no, no, don't give me that petty treatment. I don't need it. I said, I've been in a street kid since I was a youngster and I'm all right. Really? But you need, no, no, no, no, I don't need anything. Please, just, may I please go? So I go to class.

Well, by this point in time, once again, I'm at the after-school program. And a kid outside, Kenneth Henderson, calls me some. very, very foul things. I remember his name too, but it's not worth mentioning today. The kid came at me and he let his bike ghost ride and he says, what's what, you effing wet back? Mind you, I was a, hey, I was hurt, man. I was a hurt young kid, you know?

So for him to do that and then go like this to me, that was a big no-no. So I said, let me show you my green card real quick. quick, which I'm born in the United States. I'm born in Kansas, you know, so I put my hand in my pocket and I pretend like I cast my mouth, nope. I just popped the kid in the mouth and I broke his teeth. I think I broke his nose.

It was bad. So the kid ran indoors. I took off to Bucky's house. Like if nothing happened, went to the gym, worked out the next morning getting to school. I remember like it was yesterday. Officer Davis says to me, what's up, Officer Davis? He says, Victor, why did you do that? You're such a good kid.

I go, I didn't do anything. Victor, we saw everything. I go, ooh, I hate to do this, Victor. No, it's okay. You're doing your job. Victor, you are under arrest. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the rights of law.

Miranda rights, right? My first time hearing that, boom, I go to Juvie. And then now I'm like, oh, man, what am I going to do? So Bucky shows up and he says, oh, junior, you done it again. What were you thinking? I didn't teach you boxing to use it in the streets. I know. But Bucky, he did this.

So what? But he did that. I don't care. I didn't teach you out of box to do this kind of thing. He says, you like how this looks on you? No, sir. You could have handled it different. I know.

I'm ashamed of you. Stayed quiet. I was in for a little while. Upon getting out, uh, Sharon, Mrs. Ford says, Hi, Victor. How are you? Been better? Yeah, I know I heard. Hey, listen, you're a good kid. I said, I can be. I said, but Mrs. Ford, I'm very nice until I'm not. I said, I get walked on all the time. ironic because I've been walked on a lot throughout my career, but now it's redemption.

So regardless, I just said, you know, it's interesting how things took place, you know, that guy started it. I said, I ended it. I said, yeah, I shouldn't hit him, but, you know, she was, well, enough about that. Look, they told me that if, because of what you did, You're going to be in the system now. Foster care until you're 18. I said, I don't want to go there.

It's not a choice. She goes, you're in the juvie system, and you don't have parents, sweet heart. I go, I don't need nobody. She said, your brother's with the family now. And where are you going to go? I'm like, I don't know. She says, well, I spoke to some people and I went to file for custody of you. Jokingly, she said, the only thing is we're going to change your last name to Ford.

By this point in time, I had Ortiz stamped on my back. You know, I'm 13 with a tattoo that says Ortizza. I started crying. I was like, I was like, why are you going to change my last name? No, not to Ford. I'm crying. I said, Victor Ford. Are you serious?

I said, well, I got a tattoo that says Ortiz. Māori talking about a Victor Ford? No, sweetheart would put a big circle with the check through like the cigarettes. No, I was so sad, man. I thought she was serious. No, man, but she filed for custody of me, man. And you know what? That woman said to me, she would make me read and I hated reading. I hated reading, right? She'd be like, sweetheart, you're not going to go do anything until you read 45 minutes. I'm like, no, I don't want to read. Are you serious? I have, I have. straight days in school. I don't need to read. Well, this is not your ruling. I was like, I haven't had parents. Mrs. Ford, I don't want parents. Well, that's not your choice, is it?

I'm like, oh, she's like, if you don't read for 45 minutes, you're not going anywhere. I go, are you serious? I said, I had no rules by myself, because I didn't. I'd come and go as I please. I was very responsible, but I'd come and go as I please. Nobody told me what to do, when to do it, where to go, where to stay. No, if I wanted to sleep under that tree, I'll go sleep on the tree. If I wanted to go over here, over there, I would. Didn't have a curfew or nothing. But even so, due to Bucky, I had early mornings, I had everything, you know.

So regardless, it was one of those things where Sharon took me on and she said, sweetheart, how about this one? I make you a deal. You could read whatever you want. Just give me 30 minutes of whatever you want. I got Sports Illustrated and I went to the boxing side I read everything about boxing and I said

Hey uh Mrs. Ford I'm gonna be the world champion one day She said you can do it If you really want to I was like I am So she allowed me to Really believe in myself And really push me so

It's a beautiful story What do you think You want it most as a kid What were you looking for? You know what brother The bottom line is this I believe I became very dangerous Very um aggressive in the ring

Because I was searching for love love when I was undefeated man and I just remember I was 26 and 0 undefeated the next pound for pound this the next this and that blah oh my gosh everybody loved me I think the love that I was searching for was false the whole time it wasn't actual love at the end of my fist when I heard somebody and I put him down it was oh we love you Ortiz then 2000 um what was it 2009 I believe it changed the trajectory it changed my thought process it changed everything Maybe it's 2010 or something like that. My first defeat versus Maidana, man, I remember everybody switched up on me.

Everybody turned their back on me. Everyone, even the ones that said, I love you, you know? So from the De La Jolla's to just anyone and everyone, oh, no, no, no, he's damaged good, he's damaged good, he's no good, he's done, he's done. And I'm just like, whoa, I thought we were friends, bro. Like when you got handled by this dude, you got handled by that dude, I supported you, man. whoa i started really seeing that whoa this this is not a it's not a loyal game it's not it's uh it's it's it's different right and and and it's sad because when i said i love you bro i meant it you're my brother bro i meant it i don't throw those those terms around loosely man but when i experienced it for

myself you know what forgive them father for they know not what they do i found someone better and his name is Jesus. Let's go. Amen. Yep. Yeah. I mean, I had no idea how touching your story really is. I had no idea like the hardship.

I got a lot more. Look at the reflexes, bro. It's spider senses, bro. I got bit by a spider one day and then stuff was coming out of my wrist. It was weird. It was so strange. You got like spidey senses. Getting ready.

And I can't tell you, I've sat across this table. from so many world champions. And it's funny, it's like, when I was sitting with Shane Ozzy, he's like, he told, I think he told his dad, he's like, dad, I'm going to be a, I'm going to be a world champion when they. A lot of, everybody tells him, I'm going to be a world champion one day. Few people make that happen, like 10, right? Like, take us, like, take us back to the night where you actually became the world champion.

How did that feel? Man, that was, well, check this out. Let's rewind, though. So I'm in college now, right? Ventura College. I have two jobs working for Red Bull as a merchandiser. And I was working for construction. You know, I had adopted my younger brother,

put him through high school and college off two jobs. I was in college. So I said, okay, I'm about to take the biggest step of my life. I'm going to, since I lost to Maidana, they won't give me a rematch, no problem. We'll skip him. I'm going to take on the pound for pound champion of all time. Andreberto.

Undefeated, 27 and no, 21 knockouts. No problem. I go to a golden boy. Hey, Oscar, I know you guys won't give me the rematch, but it's okay. I want Andreberto. Everyone on the table, they're sitting on the table. I'm in my Red Bull uniform. My van is downstairs with the lights flashing.

I left my cell phone in Thousand Oaks in a fridge. so they couldn't they couldn't track me so they couldn't track me so I left my phone GPS I get fired bro so I go there and I said hey Oscar

you know I have a after that fight versus Maidan I know I would like the rematch well Victor Victor Victor Victor we can't we can't really do that we can't really do that why not I didn't have to put my championships on the line but you guys made me three week notice i told you my wrist was broken before the fight

why can't i get my rematch well victor victor victory it's just he's not going to work like that and i go okay so you made me put my my belt on the line with a broken wrist and no rematch victor victor victor it's just it's boxing it's boxing it got it well bypass him i want andreberto 147 pounds victor victor victor victor victor victor victor victor victor that's called career suicide. Send the contract, please. Why was a career suicide? Because he was the best fighter? That's what Oscar said. Now, mind you, on the same token, for the same date, Amir Khan fought that same day. He fought in London, England. So Osher de la Jolla went to

London, England, and fed me to the wolf, so he thought. So I went from college to my college class, I knew I had midterms coming up. So I went and I asked the deans if they can give me the time off to go and chase my dream. In a nutshell, it was, do you know what the statistics are to go do something of that caliber? I said, excuse me, but what I tell myself between my ears is what's going to happen. I make my own statistics. Oh, and you're cocky? No.

Just very secure. Right. let's make this very easy for you um it's either you um you do your midterms or you're going to fail the classes and i said well is there any way of me making up the midterms right now i'll pass them all or let me just go fight and then i'll come back and i'll do the midterms that's not how it's going to work we would advise for you to just drop the classes you're going to fail everything thank you dropped all my classes so i didn't all nothing. I go to my

to my job for Red Bull and I asked Ray at the time, my boss, beautiful person. Hey, yo Ray, um, bro, I'm fighting for the championship. Do you mind if, you know, you give me some time off?

Well, Vic, that's a lot of days, bro. Like, I know. It's okay though. I'm a big world champion, brother. If you can't give me that time off, I understand. goes, I got you covered, Vic. Go show them what you're made of. Thank you.

Now I go to my construction site. We're building condos off of Wells Road. Hey, cabron! What's up? Hey, dude, I need some days off, bro. I'm going to go, you know, capture a championship. You know, check it out. If you don't come back with a belt, don't come back at all.

All right. Gotcha. You got it. So I get to Connecticut, and I remember, man, arriving to the MGM Grand in Connecticut. And I was like, whoa, posters of Bertil and myself, and I'm like, wow. But I don't know nothing about betting, but it had like, from what I understood, I had zero chances of winning the fight. So I didn't even care, whatever. but where it smacked me across the face was when Andraberto's promoter and his girlfriend came up to me.

Ortiz, Ortiz, come here. Come here, Ortiz. Hey, what's up, brother? How you doing? I'm not going to say his name. How you doing, man? Good to see you. He says, Victor, I need you to meet my girlfriend.

This is so-and-so. Oh, hi, so-and-so. I'm Victor. Nice to meet you. She goes, no, no, yeah, yeah. So, babe, this is a tomato can. we hired to get knocked out tomorrow night by Andre Berto. Man, with all due respect, please excuse my language.

But your man here just effed up a really beautiful career. I'll see you tomorrow. Excuse me. I walked away. Allegedly, that promoter contacted my manager and said, what the F did you guys do to Victor Ortiz, bro? He looks possessed. He responded with, you guys,

pissed him off. He's going to be the world champion. So now everybody was panicked. And then we go to war. And there was a war. Let me tell you, bro. Fight of the year. I knew I won the fight, so I was like this, even if they were to even say remotely that they gave the fight to Bertow, I was like, whatever, I don't care. I won that fight. My skull was cracked from here to here. This ear was ripped off.

This, all this hand was shattered. This was broken. I didn't care. I left it in the ring. I said, God, please give me favor tonight. And he did. I come back to work. I was having such a hard time just taking in the fact that I became a world champion that I made sure I was home to clock in for Red Bull.

I was like, I got to go to work. I was like, I got to go to work. You were world champion, then you went to work the next day with the crack school? It's Crack School Staples. So, funniest thing, this is a... That's what you call hard work, bro. So check it out. That's grit to another level.

Check this out, so I'm at... Number one. I'm at... I hope Red Bull gave you a race. No, no, no, no, no. It was just at 950, no, 8.50 an hour. Hey, so check this out. So I'm sitting there and I'm stacking at Walmart on Roves in Oxnard, California, on my knees.

I'm stacking up the Red Bull. I have a Red Bull case right here, two Red Bull cases. I have the Dolly, and I'm stacking up the fridge, stacking up the fridge. And then as I'm putting the Red Bulls in the fridge, a guy says, hey, I feel like I saw you fight. I looked at him, I'm all jacked up, you know, I'm like, my eyes are still messed up and my ears sewn on and stuff, and my hands. I'm all jacked up, stolen everywhere. I was like, oh yeah? That's pretty cool.

He goes, did you fight this weekend? And I was like, you saw me? No, no, no, this guy fought on the East Coast. You know, the guy, he went to war, man. You're working for Red Bulls. Yeah, yeah. What was his name? He says, Victor.

What's his last name? Ortiz. And I go, yeah, that was me, bro. He goes, no, no, no, this guy was on TV. I was like, HBO? Yeah, HBO. I was like, okay, right on. No, this guy has a tattoo on his back like this.

And I go, could it have been this one? He goes, oh, crap. Dude, you're working for Red Bull. What are you doing? And I go, got to pay my bills, bro. He goes, can I please get a picture? with you. Look at how the world works. I go, yeah, yeah, sure. Can you please sign this Red Bull for me? I go, yeah, I got you, bro. So I'm getting a marker and signing the Red Bull for him.

I go, hey, hey, hey, hey, just one thing for you, bro. Just before you go, you got to pay for a Red Bull because that's not coming out of my check, honey. Look it, look, look at, look at. Craziest thing happens, you know. I meet my beloved wife. We have a beautiful boy together. Her Nina. Says, Victor, yes, ma'am. I don't think you know this man, but he's a dear friend of mine, okay? You signed a Red Bull Can for him in 2011 after one of your fights. Huh?

Yes, you were stacking a refrigerator, and a man came up to you named Mike. I go, I don't know Mike, but I know I signed that Red Bull Can. man. Did he ever pay for it? I said, you're joking. What? Full circle. So my wife's Nina knows the man that has the can from 2011. That's crazy. Really crazy. That's, yeah, that's for sure divine intervention. Oh my gosh. It was, yeah, no, there's no coincidence. There's, just like there's no accidents. It was strange. It was beautiful. That's amazing. Oh, oh, oh. I want Now, we go back to the college thing, right? I had asked the deans, right, for the time off.

The dean said, you know, it's silly to think that you can go and conquer the world, X, Y, and Z. Statistics say otherwise, blah, blah, blah, this and that. What I tell myself between my ears is not what you think. I believe in myself, X, Y, and Z. They pretty much made me make a choice to drop all the classes. If not, I was going to fail, whatever, cool. I drop all the classes.

I come back. Now my brother's in. college at the time. They don't remember who I was and who I am. Your brother doesn't? No, no, the teachers, the deans, everybody. So they asked me, can you please have your brother come talk to the classes? So I bring my belts. Of course. And I said, yeah, absolutely. What kind of message can you share with this class today? I was like, yeah, you know what? There's always going to be people who don't believe in you and you. Just accept. it's okay, but you must believe in yourself no matter what happens.

Who knows? Maybe one day you want to make up a midterm and that day just doesn't come about. Maybe you'll have to drop your classes, you know, stuff like that. I never told him who I was. But I signed everybody's autograph. I signed everybody's thing. Took pictures of everybody graciously. And I didn't even bring it up. Just walked out of there.

It felt like a mic drop moment. But, you know. Before mic drop was a thing. Yeah. Way before. Yeah. But still, you know, it was interesting. Welcome to the Coffee's Challenge.

Today we have an absolute special show for you. In the left corner, we got one of the world's biggest social media influencers, Asher, Laura, weighing in at 99 pounds at 5 foot 11. He's going to take an absolute beating from world champion Victor Ortiz, that a former WBC champion and headlining this month, bare knuckle boxing. We got Victor Ortiz who's about to lay a whooping on Ash or Lara. Let's see.

Oh, whoa, whoa, is it too late to cancel? Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Be on the floor, be on the floor. Just got you. Got you. Damn, bro. Is that good?

Yeah, that's good. That's good. That's funny. Yeah. Did becoming a world champ feel the way you thought it would? You know, it's interesting. I won the championship, how a world champion is supposed to win a championship. I can't speak for other champions, but I know when a champion is made.

I know when one is not. What makes a champion? A champion is going through the adversity, to the ugly, to the nastiness, you know. You fight everybody. anybody. I'm not on a, my record isn't perfect. We look at my record. I fought anyone and everyone. In today's generation of boxing, it's a, well, he's got a, he's got too many wins, you know, I don't want to get a zero, I don't want my zero to go nowhere. Like, nah, bro. Julissa Chavez, Sr. says, uh, and Juan Manuel Marquez told me, you're one of us, Victor,

which was a huge compliment. I didn't, I don't ever, ever want to stomp on no, no, no, or take credit like that, but when Ulysses or Juan Le Marquez tell you something like that, that's just a beautiful compliment. Amazing. Yeah. Yeah, like, today's generations is different, you know?

Pansies. Yeah, say the least. Yeah. I want to talk, you told me the coolest story before we started the show. The story about Sly. Sylvester Stallone calling you. Man.

Tell the audience. Let me tell you this. The story about when Sly called you. Okay, well, it's a little embarrassing, but it's a little in awe, really, because, okay, man, so I receive a phone call. Mind you, I was doing Dancing with the Stars, right? It's a TV show on ABC, and not the best dancer in the world, no. But regardless, I did the TV. show. As I'm doing this TV show, I was told that Sylvesterloane's wife was a huge fan of the TV show.

The TV show, she had told Sylvesterloane like, hey, there's a kid on the TV show that's left-handed. He's Southpaw like you. Well, Sylvesterloan, he knew who I was. He's a boxing enthusiast. So next thing you know I Out of the blue I received a phone call It was Hello hey

You know May I speak to Victor I'm sorry Yeah this is he Who's this If I may ask This slide A Victor

Victor did slide Uh huh Victor you know I want to talk to you about You know Are you interested in making movies You know And I'm like

Wait who is this the sly you know i'm sly you know i'm sly you know i'm sveste alone you know now mind you this is embarrassing because i didn't know who svest alone was i know who rocky is i know who rambo is i didn't know who svest alone was and i surely didn't know who sly was so i'm like um what exactly do you want you know i'm trying to see you know you're up for a movie you know you're interested and I'm like, I get pranks, you know.

My buddies, they prank with me all the time. You know, boys will be boys, you know. They always mess with me. So I'm like, hey, dog, realistically, man, look, look, mother, don't be calling my phone like this, dog, you're playing your tricks. What's wrong with you, man? I hang up. I got a phone call again.

Victor, Victor, listen to me, you know, I just, you know, I just want to talk to you for a second, you know, just trying to see if, you know, you have any interest in, you know, doing a movie you know i'm like look dog sure realistically bro like this isn't cool man you joking what wrong with you bro no no victor victor you know i go yo man realistically bro you you sound a lot like rocky babboa dog you know victor you know rocky don't he don't exist you know he's a character and i go well you know what bro again bro back up man oh thank you You're welcome. The barista.

Thank you. No. Thank you. Appreciate that. So, once again, you know, I'm like, yo, seriously, dude, stop calling this phone. What's wrong with you? I thought it was one of my buddies.

You know, my buddies are infamous for playing pranks on me, man. And I fall for, I'm pretty gullible. I hang up again. So now the third time he calls me back. And I'm kind of between a little heated, because I'm thinking, you know, someone's trying to play jokes on me and messing with me.

I answer again, hello? Oh, Victor, Victor, you know, listen, Victor, you know. I just want you to know, you know, I got your number from your agency, you know. I'm like, uh-huh. And, you know, I got your number from, you know, so-and-so, you know, and I just want you to know, you know, I'm like,

dude, wait, who is this? Victor, you know, I just told you, you know, Sly, you know, Sylvesterloan. I don't know who that is. I know who Rocky is, bro. I know who Rambo is. Who knows who Sevastelone is? I'm off, you know?

So, man, I'm like, I'm so sorry, bro. Like, you just, the thing is, you sound a lot like Rocky Balboa, man. And he says it again. Well, Victor, you know, Rocky, Rocky, you know, he's made. up, you know, he's just a character. I don't understand what that means, but I'm not an actor. I'm thinking, like, bro, like, Rocky's real to me, bro.

Like, what are you talking about? Like, dude. It goes, look, Victor, you know, we can talk more in debt, you know, Thursday, you know, 11, 1115, you know, don't be late in Beverly Hills. I'm not good with email. I'm not good with email.

I'm not good with social media. I'm not, bro. So I kept that in my head. 1115, Thursday morning, Beverly Hills, don't be late. So it's over with, you know, my assistant, Victor's going to send you, you know, the information, you know, an email. Mind you, I don't check email, none of that. That morning I called a buddy of mine named Victor Rodriguez. Hey, Vic, you want to come on me to L.A., bro?

Just quick in and out, trip just there and back. Armano, well, you know, I'll join you, but the bottom line is I got work at 3 p.m. okay well bro it's 9 a.m. bro like I'll bring you back. Promise. All right. All right. Cool. So now we're like by Thousand Oaks area and we're driving. Says hey, I come on you don't got the address? I go oh yeah bro it's in my email right there somewhere here the passcode is that blah this and that I get into my path. Bro it's weird this dude with a three letter name bro he contacted me yesterday man is the strangest thing but it sounds like Rocky Bob whoa bro. It was weird, but that's where we're going right now. And he goes, sly?

That's the name, bro. Yeah. I thought it was like fry, shy, fry. I don't know, but it was just a three-letter name. He goes, Sylvester Stallone. I was like, yeah, yeah, the information should be in there. He goes, only you, Victor. Only you, bro.

What do you mean? God, only you would do something like that. What are you talking about? I'm on the freeway, bro. I'm coming up on Westlake Boulevard. He goes, Sylvester Stallone? Yeah. Yeah, that's the name, bro.

Sly, right? The three-letter name. Yeah. Rocky Babo? I was like, that is Rocky. That was Rocky, huh? I exit.

I park on the side of the road, and I'm reading the email, and I go, oh my goodness, bro. I hung up on him like three times, bro. I cursed at the man, bro. He goes, Victor, only you, dog.

I go, dude, we got to get there on time, bro. We can't be late, bro. He goes, and did you read the rest of the email? I didn't read the email. He says, it says, come by yourself. I'm sorry, but we have no time to take you home, bro. Boom, we're on the 101.

True, we get to Beverly Hills. Of course, leave it to Beaver, right? right first parking spot i see i take it so i'm like i park you know and i go inside and you know oh you know mr stollone's not here for the day and i'm like well it's interesting because i actually you know i have an email here from and there's a big old rocky uh statue right here and i'm like that's cool this rocky ball ball that's awesome that's so cool the lady's like what is wrong with you i'm like uh this this is this is that is awesome sir how may i help you i go I just, you know, Rocky Balboa, Sly, Sylvest-Alone, he wants to meet this morning.

He goes, well, he's not here for the day. I go, I don't know, this is an email. Yeah. How may I help you? She's just completely, like, shoots me down to the point where I said, well, look, I'm here. It says 1115. It's, I'm on time. just if Rocky shows up tell him I was here okay yeah I was like I just because you know my agency

I don't want them to come at me and like I'm irresponsible stuff like that she's like yeah all right wow she shoots me down I'm leaving I'm walking out the door and I see a gentleman by the name of Boaz Boaz is the casting director. Victor! Hey, Boas! How you doing, boss? How are you doing, brother? You're doing okay?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Come, come, come. The lady just told me like, I go home pretty much. Who says this? That lady right there. Hi, Boaz. I go, hello. I told you.

Got a email. Uh-uh. Could you please get Mr. Ortiz A coffee A Boas can we get two A boy has, can I get a pastry too?

You know? Two of them? A muffin? Yes, yes. Victor, go to the second floor. I'm going to have a word with this young lady. I told you. Hey, hey, thank you for the goodies. I appreciate it. Victor, come on. So we go upstairs.

I'm like, yo, dog, this is crazy. Look, dude, that's from, that's from, that's from, uh, that's from, uh, we're going around. That's from there is, uh, what is that, um, the top or something where the, the, the hat where he's arm wrestling. Oh, yeah. Over the top, over the top. Over the top, bro. It's all right there.

Over the top, bro. Man, there's memorabilia from all the movies. I'm like, dude, this is crazy. Oh my gosh. Look at this from Rocky, bro. This is from Rambo, dog. And then, uh, I go, I hear, uh, hey you know someone's parked in my spot

Victor Victor Victor dog here here here here's my keys no no wait you you parked it I go Please So hey you know we know where I come from you know We can you know that's kind of starts some fight you know And I'm like you're Rocky Balboa dude that's so awesome He's like no no no Victor listen you know Victor you know Ricky you know Rocky you know

Rocky's the character. I don't know what that means, bro. I don't know what that means. I'm just, you're Rocky Bobo, bro, or ramble? I, who's Sylvester Lone, bro? I don't know. He's like, oh, geez, kid, you know why you're here today? First of all, why did you take my spot? I didn't know was your spot. Victor, you know, if you read, you say Sylvesterloan, I go, I didn't even know. I just perked. I was excited. Jeez, Victor, you know, you need some help. I know that. I know that. So then, man, I'm like, I'm in, I'm in awe.

He goes, so Victor, you know why you're here today? And I go, no, I shook your hand right now. You're Rocky Balboa, bro. He's like, no, Victor, you know, do you know where an audition is? And I go, no, no, no. Oh, geez, kid, kid, you know, all right, you know. So he grabs this booklet, throws it at me, boom. You know what that is, Victor?

Expendables three. Yeah, dude, this is that one movie on paper, right? He goes, oh, geez, geez, crit kid, kid. And I go, I mean, it's called the script, Victor. Oh, well, yeah, it's still a movie on paper, though. Really? He's like, all right, Victor, you know, so today, you know, I'm going to take you to this room over here.

you know and we're going to have you do an audition okay you're doing you know what an audition is and i was like uh trying something i guess i don't know takes me this blue room there's chairs i didn't know what kind of chairs are they're directors chairs right so then there's one guy one guy and a lady and boas and svestelone sly rocky right and i am sweed sweating bullets, sweating my armpits. I'm so nervous. And he goes, so Victor, you know, everything that says, you know, that says Mars on it, you know, you're going to read it, you know. And, you know, anything that doesn't say Mars, you know, you let me read it. I was like, okay. So now there are cameras and everything is rolling and I'm nervous, I'm sweating,

and I can't get a grip of myself. mind you I just fought Floyd you know so I was still I was trying to deal with the fact that that fight didn't end I was supposed to so I still have that anger and that rage you know so he says all right Victor you know when I start reading you know just you the only thing that you need to do is where it says Mars you know you read that yeah oh yes sir don't call me sir you know sir's my father I was like oh sorry about that Rocky You know, Rocky doesn't exist. Oh my gosh.

All right. Okay. So then, all right. Action, you know. So then he goes, you look like a pug. So I'm like this and I'm like, tough, tough, tough brothers, tough streets and so on. You know how that goes? Kid, do you not know how to read?

No, it's not that. it's not every day that I get to see Rocky Boboa. Victor, Victor, listen, you know, Rocky don't exist. I said, look, without your respect, I said, without your respect, you know, I'm a kid from Kansas with nothing but dreams. I said, without your respect, Sly, Rocky, Rambo, whatever you call yourself. I said, you gave a kid like me a blueprint, man. I said, you gave me a dream, bro.

I said, I come from nothing, man. But you give a kid with nothing to maybe be able to maybe possibly dream of something to maybe possibly take over the world. You gave me that, sir. So with no further ado, you're Rocky, sir. Rocky is very real to me. All right, kid, all right, let's get to reading.

Yes, sir. You look like a pug. Tough, tough brothers. Sorry. Sorry. Victor, Victor, look,

you know, acting, you know, it's just kind of what you wanted to be, you know. You could say your ABCs in, you know,

in different ways, Victor, you know, ABC, D, EFG, H, IJ, J, KM, O, you could say, ABCD, EFG, it's two different. things, Victor. Now let me ask you this. When Floyd Mayweather hit you with your hands down,

how'd you feel? F that mother. Ah, we found it. Do that with delivering what you just said. You look like a pug. Tough brothers, tough streets and so on. You know how that goes. All right. Let's do a few more scenes. So then he got me do more scenes and more scenes and he's like, we found Mars. I go, wow, you could have just said that. I didn't say that. That was a cool story. That was Rocky, bro.

I couldn't say that. Rocky's very real, baby. Rocky's very real. You know, I want to talk about a couple other things. How did the rivalry between you and Brandon Rios begin? You know, it's interesting. I've never really considered it a rivalry. I know this is for a kids.

Matter of fact, he was one of my bullies growing up in Kansas. He's from Kansas. He's born and raised in Kansas. Well, he's born in Lubbock, Texas, but raised in Garden City, Kansas. But since I was a kid, he was... I was a nerd, man. All my buddies were the nerds. We were...

We met no hard. Straight A students. Yeah, I played the piano, man. I was on choir for school, you know. Didn't mess the people. But Brandon Rios was... He was my bully. And the only reason he became one of my bullies is because my dad made me go to that

gym, which was the Garden City boxing gym, which was ran by Bucky Avila, which his dad, Brandon Reels, his dad was one of the coaches. He's a beautiful person too. His name is Manuel, Manuel Reels, a beautiful man. And that was also ran with Alfred Ritz and coach Juan Aldana. So all these people were all in the same realm. The difference was I was trained by Bucky, coach Juan Aldana, and by Alfred Ritz. Meanwhile, Brandon Rills was trained by his father. his dad is a beautiful person for whatever reason maybe it was me being too fat maybe it was me being a just i had my hair parted sideways whatever it was i just i bothered him and he didn't like me my dad made me go into that gym for the first time ever that i was seven years old and the the gloves

came up to here to me never even seen a pair of boxing gloves in my life i've never stepped in a gym nothing like that. My dad made me go in that gym. It was the Syak in Garden City, Kansas, and a kid that was in there been boxing for a couple years now, had over 50 fights easily. And my dad made me go in there against him.

And Brandon Reels had me whipping on me from corner to corner. I was crying. I was bleeding for my lips. Of course, you know, this kid is... At seven years old? Seven years old. Thinking that maybe my dad was going to be like, It's okay, miho.

Like, you know, things happen. He knows. You know, he's been boxing a long time. Nope. I got to the corner crying. My dad took off his belt. Grab me by the arm. He's coming down with the first hit.

Boom, for crying in front of everybody. Coming down with the second hit, my, uh, Bucky grabbed him by the hand, by the arm. He says, you leave that boy alone. My dad says to him, you could piece, you can have that piece of, you know,

he ain't going to do nothing. My dad leaves. He storms off. I'm sitting there crying. Bucky says, what's your name? I said, Junior, well, it's Victor, but they call me Junior. He says, Junior, I'm going to teach you out of box, Jr. I said, I don't want a box, Bucky.

It's not a choice. I'm going to teach you how to box. Matter of fact, how about we make a deal? Okay. Give me all you got, Jr. for one month. And in one month, you're going to put hands on that boy that made you cry today. I went like this crying to smiling a little bit.

You got it? Mm-hmm. Okay. The name of the game is boxing. It's to hit and not get hit, Jr. Okay. Does the name boxing have fighting in it? No, sir.

Okay. Okay, Bucky. Do exactly as I say. That's where the three in the morning runs, 3.30 in the morning runs started. that's where all the eating oatmeal cream of wheat stuff like that started from him he started noticing that when they put me right-handed i'm naturally right-handed jab jab one two for some reason i would come back this way so he said to me you're south paul i said no sir i'm junior

he says no you're south paul i said bucky i'm i'm junior i'm junior well i'm not junior but I'm Victor but it's junior they call me junior you're Salpa Bucky I'm junior I'm not Salpa my name's junior well it's not junior but it's Victor but they call me junior no miho you're left handed no I'm not I'm right handed then why are you fighting left handed no I'm not position get into position one two

one two three one two three one two three one two three one two three one two three jab See? What? You're switching. No, I didn't. Get back to your position. Jab.

One, two, one, two, one, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three. Why are you switching? I'm not, I'm switching. I don't know, Bucky. Well, you're right-handed.

Yeah, but this feels, this, this doesn't feel right. This feels right. You're South Palm, my boy. What's that? It's left-handed. Oh, but I'm right-handed. I don't know how it is, Junior, but you're South Paul. We're going to teach you South-Paul.

So then a little time goes by, and a month exactly, I put hands on reels for the first time, and I felt good about it. Well, we figured out that I'm left-handed. I just, everything was reverse, which gave everybody problems. I heard from some credible sources about an event that happened at Eva Longoria's Gala. What actually happened that night? You know, that was random, you know. It's actually random you bringing that up.

But boy, do I have a story for you. So, you know, one of my dearest friends, you know, big brother in Christ, you know, Sal says, hey, Vic, we're going to go to this white party. And I go, dude, I'm brown, bro. No. white party fool like you know i'm like i'm just messing i got you he goes uh all right you know many incredible celebs are gonna be there i'm like that's cool all right and then uh so we're there and i'm like i'm enjoying it i see george lopez i see all these big people that's pretty cool

and then i go like this and i go zz i zoomed in like a crosshairs and mind you i've I've never said to this point, I've never said nothing about Brandon Rios. I've never said a thing about him. And he's bashed me throughout the years. For what reason? I don't know. To feel good about himself. I don't know what it was.

Put me down completely. Made up stories about me that I've done things with certain people. No. I'm not a disrespectful guy like that. Anyway, he defamed me, man. Murdered my character. And I see. him. Big bro, Sal goes, uh, hey Vic, you good? Yeah, I'm good.

We were late. We were late to the, yeah, we were late. So then, Vic, you good? Yeah, I'm good. George Lopez. Hey, Victor! So, George. You good? Yeah, I'm good. What are you looking at? I'm going to use the bathroom. We were back. I wasn't using the bathroom. I wasn't using the bathroom. was going up to Rios, I was heated because he had murdered my character, man, throughout the years, said so many wrong, ugly things about me. I've never spoke about him. This is my first time ever speaking on record about anything about that guy. I brought him from Kansas to California. I gave him the opportunity to get him signed with Cameron Duncan, top rank, Bob Aram, with the Garcia's.

I did that. I didn't take credit for it. It says in the Bible, when you give, you give wholeheartedly and expect nothing in return. I don't. But to bash me

for only helping. Christ was crucified, bro. That's true. And all he is give. Absolutely. So, for me, it hit heavy when my own brother, flesh and blood brother,

tells me, what's wrong with you, fool? And I go back up, back up, dude. Are you team Ortiz or you team Rios? Because right now you don't seem like you're part of me. And, you know, my brother's growing a lot of envy toward me, a lot of jealousy toward me for years. It's okay. I've took it.

I've took it all. But this particular time, I was at a place where I hadn't found Jesus Christ and accepted him into my heart as my Lord and Savior just yet. Think back. I never wouldn't have done that now in a million years, but I went up to him. I was trying to throw hands on the spot.

He had to grab his wife, put her between us. We don't want no problems. And I'm like, why don't you tell this? You know, it was ugly. My dear friend, Sal was their big movie, you know, producer. You got these big attorney. that are right there next to me, they're like, dude, the guy folded. And I don't say that to be rude or to flaunt it or to boast about it.

No. After that, when it was all said and done, we just, we left it there. But I thought for once it was going to be like just an ending to everything. And I don't know. I haven't seen them since. But it's one of those things where talking about. about a dog walking away with his tail between his legs that's what it was and I don't like again I don't boast people oh you're scared of Brandon Reels oh you're scared of no no no no there's

there was big people in attendance and George Lopez had to tell me hey why are you doing that cabron you need to keep it in the ring Victor I go get paid for it Victor I go I just you know what I'm just sick and tired I don't need to get paid for it no For what? I was like, bro, I'm a good person, man. You got to bash me like that, destroy my character? For what? What I do to you? I was just, I, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, to say the least. And you know what, I'm a very, a very loving person, very forgiving. But, man, don't mistake my kindness for weakness, you know? That's a crazy story. Well, I'm glad you put that issue to bed, though. Yeah, no, it's over with, you know, I got nothing to say.

I saw him, what, I'd say about two months ago, an affair down in Sydney Valley, California. I tried to say hi. I didn't recognize him, but he had a Kansas City hat on. And I was like, oh, that's right. Casey all the way, baby. He looked at me. He would not talk to me. Wouldn't say nothing.

His daughter waved. I said, hi. And his wife, wave, too. But you know what? God bless him. God be with them. That's how you can do. You know, yeah.

Well, let's talk about what we all want to hear about. which is the Floyd Mayweather gossip. The day of the press conference. What happened? Oh, man. Well, first off, he goes, I think I angered him before the press conference because he was, Hey, Vic, man, you got to come at me, man, and you got to sell this fight. And I go, bro, Floyd, let me be honest, bro.

People hate you, dog. I said, the moment this thing goes on sale, dog, the tickets are going to sell like that, bro. Like, you're well hated, dog. He goes, oh, really is like that? And I go, yeah, dog, you always walk around like you have a golden spoon on, like you have a silver spoon in your mouth, bro. You know how it goes. He goes, yeah, platinum.

I go, platinum, silver, potato, potato, bro. You get what I'm saying. I was like, Floyd, again, people hate you, dog. I said, I don't hate you, what people do, bro. Like, I'm telling you, this goes on sale. I'm going to tell you right now, like that. It's sold out. Yeah, is that right?

right mother and i was like yeah it's right and uh the press conference strikes man and he goes yeah it's like that i was like yeah did you bring your your silver spoon gold oh can i see it and he grabs it by my my neck and i was like dang you grabbed me hard man that kind of hurts but by this point time i go wait a minute dog he's trying to make you be like some little punk so i don't I honed down. I go, what's up them other? You know, I went into like a different person in that second, and I was trying to attack, but it's like, bodyguards grab me and grab me. And I'm like, well, do some, you know, and they weren't strong enough to keep me away. And this dude's like, oh my gosh, I just messed up. Oh my gosh, help me, you know. So it was interesting, you know. But

I wasn't lying. I mean, it sold out right away. Didn't you give him something? You know what? I was, was, yeah, it was foul, but I, yeah, I was, not, mind you guys, very worldly, very worldly. That was BC before Christ, right? Got him a, I got him a special box. It was a box that women use every, every month, you know, so I got a box of tampons, bro. You got, you got, you got Floyd Mayweather, a box of tampons? Yeah, yeah. On the day of, shame, that. It was shameful. You know, I was young. I was dumb.

You know, I, yeah, on the press conference, yeah, it was, it was very disrespectful. But, you know. How did Floyd Mayweather react when he got a box of tampons at the press conference? He threw it at me for no reason. Just a gift. Think about it. If you think about it, it was just a gift. Let me ask.

you. What was running through your head to give Floyd Mayweather tampons? Should have got him some track shoes. That was wrong choice. Again, again, it was worldly. I was young. Just dumb, bro. You know, you live and learn, man. I mean, I think you're calling him something, you know. Yeah, that's, you can read between the lines, you know. You've lived life in the public eye for a long time. what do you think that the public has misunderstood about you? Oh man, the public has misunderstood many things. You know, everyone, one day, I was joking, but sarcastically, because they're like, Victor, something about a heart, right?

And I said, well, I just looked on Google, and it says Victor Ortiz does not have a heart, so just be careful. So they're like Oh, come on, Vic. And I was like, that's what they're saying that. Not me. So, I mean, you grow up without parents. You grew up to take on the world.

You grew up to, against all odds, statistically speaking, you're not supposed to be anywhere near what someone like me has accomplished. You're not even supposed to graduate from high school, let alone go to college, University of Kansas, KU, fraternity, brother. I mean, I don't know, man, no heart.

That doesn't really align with me. My name is Victor. Victor Vicious. I didn't make that up, man. It was given to me, so, you know, it's interesting. I just think sometimes people are quick to speak. Quick to judge. Yeah.

I've seen it all. Well, I haven't seen it all, but I've seen it a lot. You know, you live and learn. Yeah. You know, I'm really fascinated. I'm a big Kobe Bryant fan. And there's some rumors that during the time where Kobe was messing around a little bit. I know where this is going.

I know exactly where this is going. During the time where Kobe was going through some drama, you might have been... This is not funny, but it is funny because... You might have been dating Vanessa Bryant. I don't know if that's true. Hey, hey, this is what I like to say. wrong gardener fool wrong gardener

hey that was the wrong gardener bro so there's no truth to that no heck no check this out so I get to the gym one day one of my buddies's name's John boy Jonathan Namak right and then Chris Adams and then Kyleison

they all got to the gym around the same minute slash you know hour and they're like dude dude and mind you they're all Lakers I am not I'm a Celtic since I was a little boy I'm from Kansas You know

And I just love the Celtics My brother loved the Lakers We were like this He was a huge number eight Kobe Bryant fan I never have been So He comes in

John boy comes in Vick Fick Huh What? I go What's wrong with you dog He's like

Dude oh my gosh Oh my gosh Bro Seriously What are you talking about Google Whoa, whoa, whoa, what is that? Vanessa Bryant.

Who's that? So I have to Google the woman and I'm like, oh my gosh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. They're like, what do you mean? I was like, no, bro. I don't know who that is. So I'm like looking at her. I'm like, and she's not my type. I mean, I just said that I was young, you know, she's a beautiful woman, yeah, but

no, not for me. Anyway, it kept going, yeah, yeah, yeah. So I don't know who started the rumor where it came from. I kind of have some guesses of who may have started what, but I'm not sure. I'm out one day grabbing some food and they come up to me and ask me about the situation. And of course, young, again, right? Young, Hollywood, public eye, just worldly, right? I said

before any on TMZ before any interviews take place I just want everybody to know I'm a Boston Celtic fan I said nothing against Kobe

or any of you guys but let me just make something clear I'm not a home wrecker and then of course stupid I just dumb I quoted Bill Clinton I did not have

sexual relations with that woman just like that just just worldly brother and I threw jokes in there, right? But I was being serious because I didn't even know this woman. I never even been under the same roof as this woman. And so anyway, this whole thing took off like wildfire, man.

And oh, yeah, you know that because I said, no, I'm not a homewrecker. I wish that they really fix their issues. I'm not like that. I don't step into boundaries like that. Like, I really, that's not me. and I really hope that you, Kobe, and Ms. Vanessa, you guys fix, whatever you guys have, I have no idea. I'm out of it. So a few days later, I'm sparring with Manny Pachial.

I heard you knocked him out, cold turkey. I get punched for a living, so I forget things. So, read between the lines, I don't know. So then I was sparring with him and with Michael Katziti. He's from Australia, world champion, IBF. And as I'm doing all this, I see a big old dude walk into the gym. I'm like, whoa, oh my gosh, that's Kobe Bryant.

I have sparring gear on. He don't like me. The feeling's mutual. I looked at him and I'm like, so how's the weather up there, dude? What's up? My bell's about to ring. I come back in and he's just staring at me.

I'm looking at him too. Like, what are you looking at, bro? Like, it was, it was like, uh-uh. So I just, it was like this, bro. But it was heartbreaking when he passed, just for the world, you know. I was not a Laker, but I mean, I feel for the loss of his kids and his wife. And, but truth be told, Jesus Christ in my heart, that is not my place. That is not where I went with it.

That, no, I don't know, Ms. Vanessa Bryant. and never met her. Again, I don't know who started the rumor. But it's interesting because about six months ago, it said maybe seven, I don't know. It says I got a little bit of a screenshot and it was the last five people that Vanessa Bryant dated before the passing of Kobe Bryant.

Oh, time out, dog. I mean, I made top three, but anyway, anyway, I'm just kidding. I'm just joking. I was like, oh my gosh. So my wife says, are you serious? You know, she knows I'm just joking. I'm like, babe, that did not happen. I said, I promise on my three sons and on us, no.

I don't know the woman. And that's when I, when I say, hey, man, they say, oh, we saw Vanessa Bryant and Victor Ortiz in a right here by the airport kind of what's it called it's John Wayne no no no it's right before you get it's on off of Lincoln between Venice and the airport

there's a LA yeah right here yeah it's like not far anyway they were like yeah we we saw them there having breakfast I'm like you you know there's a lot of Mexicans right like it wasn't me bro and I don't think I mean I'm probably shorter than her. I don't know. I'm only five-nine. She looks fairly tall, man. I mean,

Kobe Bryant was really tall. And when you see them next to each other, they're like compliment each other's high. So I don't know, man. I'm, I'm not that tall, bro. You're not her type. Yeah, I'm not her type either. No, I'm too, no, no, I'm too, no, no. When did you realize that boxing is as much of a business as it is a sport? And it's a pretty twisted business like a ruthless business you know i didn't really realize that boxing was a ruthless business and so i lived it right again the betrayals the the the false promises the the neglect the the heartbreak but when you figure it out you know it's you live free you know i don't i take everything as a grain of salt you know promoter this promoter this promoter that

that, a fight here, a fight there. It's a grain of salt, man. I don't know if it's always been that way, but what I've seen in the last, you know, 23 years as a professional boxer, I've seen a lot. You're going to have a good answer to this one. But looking back over your career, do you think there was people that you trusted that you shouldn't have? man looking back on my career bro trusting in people who don't deserve it not even the time of day right oh yeah absolutely you know but i believe it all came down to one thing in the end and it was the decisions that i ended up making right following jesus where he said for what would it profit a man to gain the whole world and

lose his soul. And that for me, bro, that's where it's at, man. Again, you know, those people who've done their wrongs, who've done their dirty, they know it. They don't know it to be called by name. Just looking at me right now,

I can assure you some of the closest next to me and around me, guarantee you they're burning up inside because I'm back. That mother ever is supposed to be dead. Why? Hi. Hi. I'm back. I'm back. Yeah, so. Happyer than ever. Yeah, bro. Why not, man? I have another day of life. I have three sons, Royal Malachi, Ezekiel. I have a wife, man. I mean, somebody wanted to marry me?

Why wouldn't they, bro? You're a good-looking guy. Sweetest guy. Oh, thank you, bro. No, no, it's a very blessed, brother. You are blessed. Yeah. You know, unlike most boxers, you've lived like, you've went through so many chapters, boxing, television, movies, and now there's a new chapter you're beginning. BKB, bare-knuckle boxing, the most brutal combat sport known to mankind. That's a whole new chapter. You're taking it on at 39, already a champion. is there anything that innately feels, you know, worrisome about that? Or how do you feel about that going into that next chapter? We talked about this earlier, but what do you think for the audience?

You know, going into this next chapter, I believe I've found my peace and comfort within just trusting Jesus Christ, brother. This whole fight experience, this whole opportunity that presented itself, it literally came from Jesus, bro. I prayed to him. day in and day out. I fasted three days. No food, no water. I said, God, this is what you want me to do. Allow it to be so.

But if not, close the door. But I do ask you, if you close the door, I don't ever want to hear the word boxing, ever for as long as I live. I will serve you day in and day out. And I don't want to hear the word boxing. But you have to be clear to me, transparent. Glory to him, because, hey, you showed up.

up through and through. Beautiful. So now that's it. This new bare-knuckle boxing chapter is open. Yeah. And who knows, you're going to probably be the champion. Your headlining. Whatever God's will is, brother. I don't make the will of God. You know, I just follow it. You are about to be the biggest fighter that BKB's ever had. Biggest brand, the biggest name. And hopefully you continue with that message once you get that, you know, next belt. You know what? That's, there shouldn't be regrets in life, right? but I could I can honestly tell you right now brother that there was one thing missing maybe a few when I was the reigning world champion the young cocky conceited all about me

type person and that was Jesus bro he says he calls us to be built on the rock the rock which is Jesus God I wasn't I was built on sand bro those years And I'll tell you right now, there's no limit, brother. In boxing, what's one fight that you wish would have happened? And in BKB, what's one fight that you want to happen? I believe a fight that got away that slipped from me, from my fingers, was Canelo. Canello, huh? Saula Alvarez, a.k.a. Cinnamon rolls.

Very well protected. Very well guarded. but you know what hey they did their thing with them it is what it is but in this day and age this new chapter this new journey line them up bro

we're here we're present anybody we're ready let's go Victor what do you hope that your children remember most about you oh man what do I hope my children remember about me is my dad was a god-fearing man

my dad put Christ Jesus before anything and anyone but daddy you're the world champion no Jesus Christ is papa daddy's but a servant that's all 20 years from now what do you hope the world remembers about Victor Ortiz just that hey

20 years from now I really hope that they remember me for my for my faith for the message for the gospel for the glory I gave to God, for the lives that I, the souls that I want for the kingdom of Jesus, bro. This is, this is all materialistic we're here for the time being, man. 20 years, what, I'll be, I'll probably have a, I'll be on a, what do you call it, a wheelchair with some row rider wheels on it? I'm just kidding.

I'll be funny, though. But, no, no, it's just, it's materialistic, brother. So as long as my boys and 20 years from now, I can raise them with love, integrity, and honor, then I've done something right, bro. But most importantly, with Jesus Christ, the center of it all, built on the rock, then I've done something right.

Not perfect. We're trying. We're all trying. We're all fighting this good fight together. Yes, sir. Now we're going to start this wonderful game show. Yeah. It's called, what would a champion do?

You're getting booed as you walk into the, What does the champion do? Keep going. Keep trucking. You're down on the scorecards. Heading into the final round. What's the champion do? Buy down on that mouthpiece and give it your all.

Try to go for the knockout. Your team and fans don't believe you can do it anymore. What's a champion do? Smile and watch. Your child says, I want to quit. What's a champion do? Get up, puppy. Do it again. Money starts changing your friendships.

What's a champion do? Leave it alone, man. Money is, it can be the root of evil, but it can be a route to help. Stay on that, stay in your lane, you know. Money is not going to make you happy. When your combat career is finally over, what's a champion do?

That's actually the hardest one you've asked. Give back, brother. As much as you can. from your children to just other people, you know? It's interesting because everyone says, oh, you're going to be a great boxing coach, but realistically, I've always said, no, no, no, no.

When my chapter's over, it's over. But if my son's want to box, and we have to protect those boys, man. I know the game very well, so I can help. Matter of fact, I've been helping a lot throughout the years, you know, youngsters and up-and-comers and whatnot. I think the wisdom that I've gained, it's allowed me to help people. Hey, Papa, don't step on that mind, man.

Careful. Hey, don't get bit over there. Hey, careful back there. You know? I don't tell them what to do. But I'm like, hey, we all, eh? Careful. Victor, you've been an absolute blessing to have on this show.

I hope to have you back again. If people want to connect with you, learn more about you. And maybe they want to be drawn to Jesus again. And maybe they need to hear the word of the Lord. Maybe they need some comfort. If they want to connect with you, how can they find you? Yeah, absolutely. Instagram, it's ITS.

It's V-R-T-R-T-S. I-T-I-Z. People are like, oh, it's V-R-T's. I'm like, no, no, it's V-R-T's. Reason behind that is somebody stole my name one day. I'll sell it back to you for $50,000. And I go, nah, doc, I'm good. You can have it.

So then Twitter or whatever it's called, nowadays. It's vicious Ortiz. What is that other one? Some, the new, TikTok, I don't even know. I think it might be Victor Ortiz, WBC. I don't know. I'm not the media person, so, but that was fun. Yeah, check me on on bareknuckle boxing. I think it's bareknuckleboxing.com. Let's go. Yeah. And I, um, I, I just hit a young man named Asher so hard. I think I may have maybe punctured his lungs or something. I don't know. We got to check them in a little bit. Yeah, let's go check him out.

Hopefully he's alive. CPR or something. It's brutal. So sorry, guys.