Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz, an up and coming, 23-year-old boxer, is making his name in the world of boxing. After growing up in Worcester, Massachusetts, the young boxer turned pro in 2016. His amateur record is 100-14 and he has already won many awards for his skill.
During the recent Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight that was shown on pay-per-view, Ortiz was victorious over Sulaiman Segawa of Silver Spring, Maryland. After scoring a technical knockout in the last 10 seconds of the seventh round, Ortiz gained the WBC USNBC Silver lightweight title. This was his first fight outside of New England and he certainly made himself known in the fighting community. After winning this fight, Ortiz jumped from 76th to 44th in the world for the lightweight division. If he keeps winning, Ortiz is predicted to fight for a major world title by late 2021.
360 Magazine sat down with Ortiz to ask him questions about his professional career, personal life and future.
What was your upbringing like? Was there always a focus on athletics?
I started boxing at seven years old, and I was always an athletic kid, playing sports and outside.
Where did you learn to box?
I learned how to box at the Boys & Girls Club of Ionic Ave.
Why boxing?
I use to get into fights as a kid, I like that its a one on one sport I don’t have to rely on anyone. Over time, I noticed I was winning a lot and kept it going.
Who are your role models, boxing or otherwise?
My role model was my coach Carlos Garcia.
You’re currently the Undefeated World Boxing Youth World lightweight champion. What does this accomplishment mean to you?
I’m actually the former Youth World lightweight champion due to my age since I turned 24 last April, currently, I hold the WBC USNBC Silver lightweight title. The accomplishment is just a stepping stone, I have far more to go and I understand its a process and this is part of the process.
Your nickname is ‘The Technician’ where does this come from?
A technician is a person skilled in an art or craft by dictionary standards and when it comes to boxing, and me being a carpenter, I’m now an active trader. It was a perfect fit since everything I do, including things in my personal life, I’m technical about it. So it’s a name that reflects more than just boxing.
You’ve been boxing competitively for more than a decade. How have you evolved during that time, technique-wise and also personally?
Time is the mother of greatness, practicing repeatedly overtime is only natural; I’m going to get better.
How has your career been impacted by COVID-19 and 2020?
Luckily I was able to get a fight right before the impact of covid came I didn’t get to fight as much as I normally would. I probably would have had about 4 fights in a year but I had two with the last one being a great exposure bout.
Tell us about your interests outside of boxing.
I enjoy nature and I spend most of my time with family. Always working on self-development, a lot of stocks, and trying to find real estate deals.
Do you still have Olympic aspirations? What are your future boxing goals?
Olympics of boxing is an amateur sport but recently I think in 2016, they allowed pros to compete but it is heavily dominated by amateurs. In the next year, I see myself becoming World Champion at the lightweight Division and reaching for that pound for pound list.
What is your go-to move in a fight?
Not sure, probably switching from orthodox to southpaw.
What makes you unique as a boxer?
My ability to switch stances easily and my technique.
