Jamaine Ortiz kicked off his 10-round bout against Cristian Mino on Friday night promising an explosive performance.
He made good on his promise at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Fla., knocking Mino down in every round to record the stoppage victory at the 2:00 mark of the fourth.
“The Technician” Ortiz put the disappointment of his narrow points loss to WBO junior welterweight titleholder Teofimo Lopez behind him in February, walking the noticeably smaller Mino from the opening bell and mixing his attack to the body and head.
Late in the first frame, Ortiz “Piedrita” rocked Mino up top with a right hand before knocking the 27-year-old Argentine craftsman to the canvas.
Things didn’t improve for Mino in the second as he was covered again, this time from a body shot. Mino boxed to survive the remainder of the round, but it only seemed a matter of time.
It was all Ortiz in the third as he continued to press. Mino simply didn’t have the power, the skill or the accuracy to keep Ortiz off him. With just over 30 seconds to go in the round, Mino found himself on the canvas again, this time courtesy of a three-punch combination. He got to his feet with blood pouring from his nose.
Frustration started to show with Mino in the fourth when he picked up Ortiz around the waist and slammed him to the canvas. It cost him a point from referee Michael DeJesus.
The fight did not last much longer. Ortiz continued to back Mino up and send him down for the fourth and final time with a left hook to the head followed by a left hook to the body.
It was a confidence-building win for Ortiz against a matchup opponent.
“I was surprised that he kept getting up, but I came in knowing it was going to be tough. I hear them Argentines are tough, so I expected nothing less,” said the 28-year-old Ortiz of Worcester, Massachusetts at the end of the DAZN broadcast.
“This show was a good show. I give it a B. I’m always a harsh critic on myself, but this is just a warning to all these other 140s in the division.”
Ortiz’s primary target is WBA junior welterweight titleholder Jose ‘Lightning’ Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs).
“Rayo is the champion now at 140 and that’s who I’m coming to,” Ortiz said. “It’s just a fair warning that every performance after this is going to look like this.
“I’m just waiting for that world title to come, that opportunity that I know will come soon. I will soon be a world champion.
“At the moment, Rayo is at the top of my hit list. Also (IBF titleholder Liam) Paro, Richardson Hitchins, I know he’s also fighting for a world title. If he comes away with a win, I’d love to fight him. And I would like to bring it back together with Teofimo Lopez.”
After his win tonight, Ortiz improves his record to 18-2 with nine knockouts, while Mino drops to 24-10-2 with 17 knockouts.
