Remembering Tough As Nails Jayla Ortiz
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By Daniel Sisneros
Ortiz was an outstanding all around athlete who was drawn to the boxing ring where she could display that athleticism.
October 4, 1997 saw Jayla open her pro career with a 2nd round tko over an outmatched Merlinda Tafoya. Two months later, Tafoya got a rematch but the results were the same with Ortiz dominating her again for a 2nd round tko win.
She was 2-0, 2 ko and fought in front of her home town fans of Santa Fe, New Mexico scoring a first round tko over Mexico’s Angelica Villian.
After the fast start, she hit a bump in the road as she went 0-4-3 in her next 7 bouts. She fought a much higher level of competition with 6 of the 7 bouts on the road.
She showed a fast learning curve in the ring, as she avenged 2 of the results from that 7 fight stretch. She lost a decision to Brenda Burnside, but came back with a draw in the rematch, and she fought a draw with Mexico’s Copitzi Mendivil in their first meeting, but came back to score wins in two rematches.
Ortiz came back strong and built her record to 5-5-3, 3 ko earning her a shot at the New Mexico State Bantamweight Title against undefeated fellow New Mexican, and future IFBA Bantamweight World Champion – Adriana Delgado (4-0, 2 ko). The bout took place on Nov. 6 1999 in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
It was a surprising but convincing outcome as Ortiz scored a one-sided unanimous decision victory to win the State Title over the favored Delgado. Scores were 60-54, 60-56, and 59-55 for Ortiz.
Ortiz, now the state Champion went on a tear going unbeaten in her next 7 bouts. She won 6 of them, but her win against former Women’s IBF World Champion – Delia Gonzalez was later changed to a no contest. She also fought a majority draw against Leanne Villareal in that stretch but avenged the draw with a unanimous decision win in their 2nd meeting.
She was now ranked and ready for a shot at the vacant IFBA Jr. Featherweight Championship. She faced unbeaten Jackie Chavez (7-0, 3 ko) for the title in Ignacio, Colorado. Ortiz lost a very close unanimous decision on scores of 96-94, 96-94, and one judge turning in a surprising card of 100-90 all for Chavez.
Her performance solidified her reputation as one of the top female boxers in the division, and she got the call to travel to Germany and face the defending Women’s IBF Featherweight Champion – Silke Weickenmeier (16-3-4). The bout went the full 10 rounds, but it was Weickenmeier successfully defending her title in front of the home town German boxing fans.
Jayla fought twice more, losing to Valanna McGee (9-2-1, 4 ko) in California for the vacant GBU Female Jr. Lightweight Title in her next bout.
Cinco de Mayo of 2006 saw Jayla in what would turn out to be her final bout. She faced Albuquerque’s Leanne Villareal for the 3rd time, having scored a win and a draw against Villareal in the previous two meetings. This one would be for the Vacant NABC Jr. Lightweight Title, and it was staged in Jayla’s home town of Santa Fe. Ortiz went out in strong fashion with an impressive 8 round sweep on scores of 80-72 on all 3 judges scorecards.
Jayla is interviewed by Dan Sisneros as trainer Dan Cushner looks on, and Chris Cozzone takes notes
It was a great way to go out – a winner, with a new title belt around her waist. Jayla was always well respected on the New Mexico boxing scene, and she ended her career with a final record of: 12 wins, 8 defeats, 4 draws, and winning 3 by knockout.
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