Victor Ortiz discusses Week 4 on ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Each week while he competes on “Dancing with the Stars�, boxer Victor Ortiz, a former WBC welterweight champion, will answer a few questions from Sports Now editor Houston Mitchell and give some insight into the competition. Here are Ortiz’s thoughts about Week 4, which he offered via email.

Q. This must have been a tough week. Critical comments for the judges, last one saved on the results show. How do you regroup mentally to prepare for next week’s dance?

It’s so important to focus on working hard for next week. I try to make sure that the judge’s comments don’t get me down, but instead I take their comments and focus on how to prove to them that I can do better, and really show them what I am made of.

Q. What has been the most surprising thing to you about being on the show so far?

I guess being a boxer you don’t really think that you will ever be on a dancing show at all. It’s just so different from what I am used to. Everything has been a new experience for me, from the costumes to the dance moves to trying to impress judges. I guess it’s been surprising that training for this is so intense. I know other seasons’ contestants have said that, and they were not kidding!

Q. Do you get to interact with the other contestants that much? Have your made any friends you can see lasting beyond the show?

Actually we have all formed such a tight bond, which is something I didn’t expect. Honestly this isn’t like a traditional competition where everyone is working against each other. Every time someone performs I am happy for them when they do well out on the floor. So many of the dances, especially this week, were so deeply personal that all of us wanted one another to do the best performance they could. Being in the bottom two this week, I really didn’t want to be the one that went home but I really didn’t want Lisa to go home either!

Q. How much input do you get into the outfits you wear?

Well actually I would have to give all the credit to my talented partner, Lindsay. She is the creative mind behind all of our outfits. She comes up with an idea and then people in the wardrobe department make them for us.

Q. Some people are counting you out, figuring you don’t have a chance to win. What do you say to those people?

I have been up against the odds for most of my life, so I love a challenge. Each week I have a chance to prove myself, and take all the things I’ve learned and really focus during my practices. I have made it to Week 4 now, despite being in the bottom two, so the game isn’t over yet! I want to bring it next week and really show my fans and the judges what I’m made of!

To learn more about Victor Ortiz, visit his website at TheRealVictorOrtiz.com.

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