:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27615153/collazoprepares4ortiz_hoganphotos.0.jpg)
This Thursday night at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn native Luis Collazo will have home field advantage against Victor Ortiz, in what is another chance for the talented 32-year-old Puerto Rican fighter to knock off a top star.
Collazo (34-5, 17 KO) is returning to the main stage of boxing with this fight for the first time in a few years. Back in 2006, he gave Ricky Hatton all he could handle (and then some, many argued) in Hatton's welterweight debut, losing a a debated decision in Boston. His most recent major opportunity came against Andre Berto in January 2009, and Berto needed a huge 12th round rally to eke that fight out.
Now, he gets another shot, and this time he's facing an opponent who may be vulnerable. Ortiz hasn't fought since June 2012, when his jaw was broken by Josesito Lopez. He's had return dates reportedly set for the last six months or so only to always push them back. On Thursday, he gets back into the ring. But who will he be?
"I'm really excited and humbled by the opportunity. I just want to give the boxing fans a great fight and a great outing. I've been waiting a long time for a fight of this caliber," he said.
Collazo isn't at all concerned about what Ortiz's strategy may or may not be.
"He can do what he wants, but I know on fight night I will be ready. If he wants to dance, I'll be the bull. This fight is for my future. I'm trying not to look past it, but this victory here means everything to me. It means I have a future. If not, I have to start all over again from scratch."