The story behind Victor Ortiz and Vanessa Bryant: The boxer's statement on the rumor

Boxing star Victor Ortiz and model-cum-philanthropist Vanessa Bryant have long been prominent public personalities. The American celebrities were rumored to be dating during Vanessa's expected divorce proceedings with her husband Kobe Bryant.

Vanessa met the late NBA superstar Kobe Bryant in 1999. They eventually married and had four children. They were together until Kobe and their second-oldest daughter 'Gigi' (Gianna Maria-Onore) passed away in a helicopter accident in Jan. 2020.

In Dec. 2011, Vanessa Bryant had filed for divorce against the Los Angeles Lakers icon. A wave of rumors ensued, including allegations of infidelity against Kobe. Another rumor was that Vanessa was dating former WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz.

Over the years, Ortiz has shot down those rumors multiple times. Speaking to TMZ in 2011, 'Vicious' clarified they weren't dating:

"Rumors are rumors. I actually, you know, it's kind of funny because I actually heard about that yesterday; yesterday morning. And I was like, 'Oh my God. That'd be a -- that's a cool rumor.' But it's not. Nowhere is it true. Nowhere near it. I don't know who started it. And I'm not even a Laker fan, so, yeah."

Victor Ortiz lost his WBC welterweight championship via fourth-round KO against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Sept. 2011. It was a fight in which Ortiz was accused of headbutts and Mayweather was lambasted for punching his foe during an apparent pause in action.

During his interview with TMZ, Ortiz alluded to the same. He recalled learning about the Vanessa Bryant rumor while training. Apparently, a friend of his came up to him the previous day around 1 pm and asked whether he'd heard the rumor. Ortiz felt he was talking about the Mayweather fight and related discussions, to which he answered in the affirmative.

Ortiz's friend then asked about when he started "talking to her". Ortiz recalled that this confused him. He then got to know about the dating rumor, courtesy of his friends at the boxing gym. 'Vicious' told them that he wasn't dating her and didn't even know who she was.

Moreover, when asked if he thought the couple would work things out, Ortiz said:

"You know, I really wish them the best of luck. Can't really do a whole lot there. You can just sit back and just really wish them the best ... I'm pretty sure they both have their issues they'll resolve soon enough. But I wish them the best, though."

Kobe and Vanessa Bryant called off their divorce around 13 months after she'd filed for it.

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Victor Ortiz to fight on Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III card, addresses potential rematch with 'Money'

The 37-year-old Victor Ortiz's most recent professional boxing match was a unanimous decision victory against Todd Manuel in May 2022. Presently, Ortiz is scheduled to face Rodrigo Damian Coria in an exhibition boxing match.

It'll be the co-headlining match of the Mayweather-Gotti boxing event at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, on Aug. 24, 2024. The card's headlining match has the legendary Floyd Mayweather (who retired from pro boxing in Aug. 2017) facing John Gotti III in a rematch of their 2023 exhibition boxing match.

Earlier this year, speculation abounded that Mayweather and Ortiz would clash in an exhibition boxing match in Mexico. Speaking to VladTV, Ortiz recently suggested they were set to clash in an exhibition, but 'Money' and his team later chose the Gotti rematch.

Ortiz referenced alleged contractual disputes between his and Mayweather's sides, adding that they later offered him the co-main event spot, which he agreed to.

Watch Victor Ortiz discuss the topic below: