If I could think of five matchups in history I'd want to see, this would be one of the five. Arguably the greatest Mexican fighter ever versus arguably the greatest PR ever. Chavez would be the favorite... but I'd pick the slight underdog. Ortiz at lightweight was one of the most complete fighting machines in history. I think he'd outbox Chavez from the outside, and hold his own on the inside. For anybody thinking this would be Chavez-Rosario, think again. Rosario was a bigger puncher than Ortiz, but Carlos was better at literally EVERYTHING ELSE. Ortiz ain't wearing down either. He's right up there with Chavez in terms of stamina. Ortiz by close decision in a classic.
Tough to call. But if anybody has the all around skills to match wits and will with Chavez, it would be Ortiz and somebody like Duran. Toss up for me, but I'll slightly lean towards Ortiz. Duran vs Ortiz would have been something else. Duran would win, but the rivalry would have been great. Duran really hated Puerto Rican fighters.
Ortiz would've given Duran a tougher fight than Chavez, although in a losing effort. Duran would have beaten Chavez with room to spare.