Blair "The Flair" Cobbs is constantly outspoken and known more for his talking than his fighting, and he can fight, but he can really talk. Cobbs has spent much of the past year making baseless allegations that Grand Prairie native and undefeated KO artist Vergil Ortiz, 19-0 (19), is somehow "dirty" or some type of "steroid cheat". In no uncertain terms, Cobbs made a very bold claim “Ortiz is using steroids.” He also blamed Ortiz's rhabdomyolysis diagnosis, which pushed back last year's fight with Michael McKinson, on steroids. Saying, “They say he has rhabdomyolysis. That’s what I had that f------ my feet up. That’s very common with steroid abuse. No wonder he’s so explosive.” Cobbs doubled down on the baseless allegations again on a recent podcast saying, “He better not be on the ‘roids. He looking real suspicious.”
Rhabdomyolysis is a serious medical condition that can be fatal or result in permanent disability. It can be caused by heat exposure, physical exertion or overuse, and direct trauma. All of those things are common for a fighter in training camp. Cobbs went as far as to bet $100,000 that the undefeated KO artist was dirty.
Ortiz and his team had enough and punched back. Weintraub Tobin Law Firm, which represents the Grand Prairie native issued a cease-and-desist letter. Which outlined the factless allegations and demanded Cobbs immediately cease and desist from making any additional comments of this nature about Mr. Ortiz.
The letter gave Cobbs till Monday, the 30th, to retract the claims, or a civil lawsuit would be triggered, in which Ortiz's legal team would seek damages in excess of $100,000 plus legal fees.
On Monday Cobbs obliged and walked back his comments “Let me give you guys a big retraction statement on Vergil Ortiz doing performance enhancement drugs...Initially, I thought that he was possibly a user with this illness that very rarely ever happens to anyone that is in boxing. It’s a rare disease, but incredibly dangerous called rhabdomyolysis. He got admitted into the hospital." Cobbs went on “Thank goodness he’s safe and healthy. But initially, when he got into that hospital with that extremely rare case and rare disease, I thought he was on some steroids.”
A retraction that was adequate for the Ortiz team. Ortiz's manager Rick Mirigian, who is no stranger to trash-talking and stirring the pot, told Cobbs "I like the trash talk... but you crossed the line, you don't go there." In boxing, alleged cheating and steroid use are far more serious than in other sports. It's a sport that can be life and death, it's not just hitting home runs like in baseball. The consequences of using steroids are much more dire. Mirigian said Cobbs "Took the Comment back... he did the right thing."
Cobbs who is known for his outspoken demeanor was obviously looking to talk himself into a lucrative fight with the undefeated Ortiz, but according to Ortiz's manager, "He's not getting that fight. They are at different points in their career. Ortiz is fighting for a world title and then mega fights after that."
The two possible mega fights in reference would be an all-Texas shootout, with WBA Super champ Errol Spence. A fight that would be mandated by the WBA, assuming Ortiz gets passed on Eimantas Stanionis, which the North Texan is expected to do. That fight is scheduled for April 29th in the DFW area, but no venue has been locked down yet. A win there would put Ortiz in the catbird seat. If Spence comes back down to 147, Ortiz is guaranteed that fight, or Spence would be stripped of the belt and Ortiz would be designated "Super Champ" by the WBA. If that were to happen, the next logical step would be a WBA/WBO unification scrap with Terence Crawford. "Ortiz is in a position where he can't lose," Mirigian said. When asked if his young fighter had a preference between the two pound-for-pound elite world champions, Mirigian explained, "He's open to both, he wants both, but he would prefer the Spence Fight... It would sell out Cowboy Stadium [AT&T Stadium in Arlington]... it would be one of the biggest fights in Texas history."
With the allegations and legal paperwork in the rearview Ortiz moves forward on his march to a world title.