He was born in Liberal, grew up in Garden City and now... he’s the
welterweight boxing champion of the world. At the state capitol, today (TUE) was proclaimed "Victor Ortiz Day" in honor of Ortiz who won his championship bout last month. Ortiz took a moment to praise his mentor, Ignascio (ig-NOZZ-ee-oh) Avila (AH-vee-luh)...known to Ortiz as "Bucky"...for steering him down the right path during a troubled childhood.
Ortiz was abandoned by his family at an early age and lived in foster care before he turned pro as a boxer at the age of 17. Kansas Governor Sam Brownback saluted Ortiz for "getting better, not bitter" as a result of his childhood experiences.