Ortiz Aims to Add to His Scrapbook as a Pro

They call him "Scrappy," and he is.

Besides, they had to come up with something. What else to expect of the professional debut of Robert Ortiz Jr., the latest from a family of prizefighters with close ties and catchy ring monikers.

His father was "Two Sweet." His uncles were "Big Shorty" and "Li'l Haus." All fought regularly and were crowd favorites at the Reseda Country Club, though none enjoyed great success.

Now Robert Jr., his family literally in his corner, will take his turn in the pro ranks.

The 19-year-old featherweight from Simi Valley will fight Geraldo Valencia (1-0) in a four-round bout Thursday at Quiet Cannon Country Club in Montebello.

Ortiz, 20-2 as an amateur, has distinguished himself with his promising technique and style. And, of course, his scrappiness.

"Everybody says I fight like a little scrappy dog," Ortiz said. "It's my heart. It's what I want to do."

Danny Ortiz, 37, a.k.a. Big Shorty, was 22-4 as a lightweight during the 1980s and early '90s. Robert Sr., 40, who opened Kid Gloves Boxing in Simi Valley four years ago, was 7-4-1 as a bantamweight, sometimes appearing on the same card as his brother.

Victor Ortiz, 32, dubbed Li'l Haus at an early age, retired after a brief career as a light-heavyweight.

Danny works as his nephew's primary trainer, Robert Sr. is his son's manager and both serve as sparring partners--proving that the family that slugs it out together, stays together.

"It's scary sometimes [in boxing] because you never know what's going to happen," Robert Sr. said while watching his son sparring. "But I've always had confidence in him and I have confidence in Big Shorty. It will be different in his first pro fight, without the headgear. But I think he will come out very strong."

All agree Scrappy might ultimately be the best boxer of the bunch. He seems to have inherited his father's ability to punch and his uncle's technique.

"He reminds me a lot of me," Danny said. "I think Scrappy's the quickest of all of us, and I was the quickest. He can box and punch. And he's definitely got the speed.

"But when Scrappy gets into a brawl, he can do well in the brawl thing too. He carries the nickname well."

Ortiz remembers little about watching his father or his uncle in the ring. Although he bears a strong physical resemblance to his father, who went from boxing to bodybuilding, Ortiz didn't immediately yearn to put on the gloves.