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In Defense of Benjy Esteves Jr: How WBC Count Reached 10 in Matthysse versus Ortiz

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

Cincinnati, OH (September 7, 2014)– Roberto Ortiz of Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico arrived at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio, on September 6, 2014, with a 31-0-1 record, with 24 knockouts. All of his bouts had taken place in Mexico, so it was his first bout outside of his native Mexico. In defense of his World Boxing Council Silver Light Welterweight title, his opponent would be hard hitting Lucas Martin Matthysse of Buenos Aires, Argentina, 36-3 with 34 knockouts.

The neutral ground of Cincinnati would play no favorites in either direction.

Lucas Matthysse versus Roberto Ortiz, full fight on YouTube with Spanish commentary

Championship referee Benjy Esteves Jr. was the man in the middle, making his first appearance in Ohio, best known for bouts in Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Esteves has made rare appearances in Argentina, Aruba, Germany, the Dominican Republic, Canada (twice), China (twice), Panama, and Russia.

A careful study of the replay shows Esteves separated the two fighters in a clinch with 51 seconds left in round two. Matthysse then backed up Ortizwith approximately 45 seconds left in round two. Matthysseapplying pressure and had Ortiz relatively trapped along the ropes near a corner, and Matthysse was not going to let Ortiz escape. Ortiz tried to counter the labs and body shots coming in from Matthysse in heated exchange, which took place from 43 seconds left in round two, to 32 seconds left in round two.

Going by the television clock in the lower right corner of the screen, Ortiz went down in a corner from a left hook body shot with 30 seconds left in round two, after a split second delayed reaction after getting hit by the Matthysse blow. Referee Esteves escorted Matthysse back to a neutral corner, then turned and picked up the count aloud accurately at seven. A freeze frame review shows Esteves displaying nine fingers and Ortiz still on the canvas. The following freeze frame shows Esteves waving his hands as the count reached ten, with Ortiz still in the process of getting up at 2:43 of round two, or with 17 seconds left.Esteves said diez as Diaz arose. Despite news reports to the contrary, there was no quick count. A rearview of the overhead footage shows the mouthpiece of Ortiz coming out as he goes down on one knee, and rear footage shows the same thing. Also considered is the referee’s prerogative. Ortiz was still down at nine, and in no shape to continue. Esteves reached the count of ten as Ortiz was getting up. The only discrepancy was the time of the knockout at 2:45. As the referee reached the count of 10 during the round, the ring clock was accurate. The irrelevant television clock was close, apparently a second or two ahead.

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