What you may have missed from last night
After knocking out Chuck Liddell last night in the main event of Golden Boy 1, Tito Ortiz appeared to toy with the idea of staying unretired in his post-fight interview with Frank Mir, but by the time he got to the press conference afterwards, he had hardened his resolve once more. Via BloodyElbow.com:
“I’m done,” Ortiz said at the post-fight press conference at The Forum in Inglewood, California (h/t Christopher Taylor of BJPenn.com). “There is nobody left I want to fight. I just want to continue to help the sports grow as a promoter. I want to help give back to the fighters.”
Ortiz’ position stands in contrast with Liddell’s, who said after the bout he would need to re-evaluate with his team as to whether he would continue his plans for a prolonged comeback. When Frank Mir tried to hint that perhaps his age (48) was a factor in the defeat, Liddell insisted that he had come into the bout in great shape. “I made a mistake and got caught” he reiterated.
Ortiz, who avenged two UFC knockout losses to Liddell with this win, encouraged his longtime rival to stay unretired and fight for Golden Boy promotions. The move, which came across part of Ortiz’ magnanimous attitude after the win, illustrates why it is so difficult for retired greats to stay away from the sport. Their name value lasts long after their abilities have eroded- and name value is all that promoters need.
After last night’s results, let us hope that saner minds prevail.