After a lengthy two-year absence from the boxing ring, Albuquerque's own Matt Griego-Ortega is poised to make his comeback on October 3. The undefeated fighter, who boasts a record of 15 wins and 10 knockouts, will headline a bout at Expo New Mexico, marking the debut event for Prime Time Promotions in Albuquerque.
Griego-Ortega, 30, has expressed optimism about his future in the sport, indicating that he has signed a significant contract with an out-of-state entity that he is not yet able to disclose. This deal is expected to provide the momentum his career has been missing, particularly given that most of his fights have taken place within New Mexico.
“I signed a pretty big contract that I can’t talk about yet,” Griego-Ortega stated, hinting at exciting developments on the horizon. He also revealed that the October 3 fight could potentially be his last appearance in Albuquerque, depending on the logistics of his new partnership. “With the company I’m going with, I don’t know if they’ll be out here,” he added.
The fighter’s journey has been marked by challenges, including limited exposure beyond his home state and a lack of opportunities with major promoters. In fact, only one of his 15 fights has been organized by a prominent promoter, and that experience was far from ideal. In August 2024, Griego-Ortega was set to face fellow unbeaten boxer Abraham Perez on a highly anticipated Top Rank, Inc. card. This event was to be streamed live on ESPN+ and featured a world featherweight title fight as the main event. However, just days before the bout, Perez was hospitalized due to a near-drowning incident, forcing Griego-Ortega to fight journeyman Gilberto Mendoza instead.
Despite the setback, Griego-Ortega managed to secure a victory over Mendoza, but not without complications. He suffered a fracture in his right hand early in the match, which forced him to fight with one hand for most of the eight rounds. Nevertheless, he won by unanimous decision, but that would be his last fight until now.
While boxing is not his primary source of income—Griego-Ortega works as a barber—he has expressed that the sport is a vital part of his identity. “I don’t need boxing to survive,” he noted, “It’s just something that I’ve loved my whole life, and I have a talent, and I have a dream.”
After the fight with Mendoza, Griego-Ortega faced a series of missed opportunities, including a title fight in Japan that he had to decline due to his hand injury. Plans for a significant card in April 2025 featuring several Albuquerque fighters also fell through, which led him to question his future in boxing. “When (bad) things continue to happen, it’s like you question, ‘Is this (a boxing career) supposed to happen? Like, is this meant for me?’” he reflected.
Fortunately, support from his community and family helped reignite his passion for the sport. Teammate Yoruba Moreu Jr. encouraged him to return to training, and Griego-Ortega found renewed motivation through sparring sessions. His trainers, including Manuel Anaya, Leroy Bazan, and Sergio Chavez, played crucial roles in keeping his spirits high during his time away from the ring. Griego-Ortega credits Chavez with helping him secure the major opportunity he plans to announce following his upcoming fight.
As he prepares for his return, Griego-Ortega is set to compete in an eight-round bout against an opponent yet to be confirmed, moving up to the bantamweight limit of 118 pounds after previously fighting at 112 and 115 pounds. The excitement surrounding his comeback is palpable, and fans are eager to see how this next chapter unfolds in his boxing career.
Leave a Comment