Lora Back and Better Than Ever!

Posted on | March 25, 2011 | No Comments

With health problems behind him and his first comeback win now in the books (a TKO 2 over Mexico’s Joel Juarez), welterweight contender Orlando “Olímpico” Lora (27-1-1, 19 KOs) can resume his promising career.

The former Mexican Olympian had been cruising through the professional ranks as a red-hot undefeated prospect, even picking up the WBC Continental Americas welterweight and IBA Jr. Middleweight titles, when in 2009, he began experiencing persistent stomach pain and noticed his strength beginning to slip.

First came a surprisingly lethargic performance against then 7-7 Octavio Narvaez in which some felt Lora was fortunate to get the unanimous decision.

And then, in Lora’s next appearance, disaster struck.

Facing tough veteran David Estrada at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California, and live on ESPN last April, Lora was battered mercilessly for eight savage rounds before mercifully being stopped by the ringside physician.

“Something was wrong. That wasn’t the Orlando Lora we knew in there. Orlando fights with smart aggression and doesn’t let up. The one that fought Estrada was a sitting duck,” admitted Lora’s promoter, Gary Shaw of Gary Shaw Productions. “The kid would never say anything, that’s how he is, so we made him go to a doctor and find out what was going on with his stomach and his strength.”

Lora was immediately diagnosed with a serious liver infection and put on intensive treatments that lasted nearly eight months.

“How he kept fighting in that kind of pain is amazing to me,” continued Shaw. “His body was fighting so hard against the infection he had nothing left to use for boxing.”

While Lora says being away from the gym and undergoing the treatments was rough, he gradually noticed his power returning and over time, strength and conditioning work led to gym workouts and then a full return to training.

“He really looked sensational against Juarez,” said a relieved Shaw. “The old Orlando is back and because of all the strength training he did in the time he was off, he says he feels stronger than ever. We’re looking forward to putting him right back in the mix at 154 where he belongs. At full power, Orlando is a handful for anyone in the world to try and face.”

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