Vergil Ortiz Jr. (born March 25, 1998) is an American professional boxer. He has held the World Boxing Council (WBC) interim super welterweight title since August 2024.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | March 25, 1998 Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight(s) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stance | Orthodox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boxing record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fights | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins by KO | 21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As an amateur, he was a seven-time national champion and was the winner at the 2013 Junior Olympics.[2] He was named the 2019 Prospect of the Year by The Ring magazine.[3] Ortiz is known for his exceptional punching power, having scored all but one of his wins by knockout.[4]
Professional career
editEarly career
editOrtiz was victorious in his first six fights, winning all six by stoppage and only going past the first round in one of the six fights.
Ortiz Jr vs. Valenzuela
editHis seventh bout came on September 16, 2017, on the undercard of Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin I against Cesar Valenzuela, which he won by second-round technical knockout.[5]
Ortiz Jr vs. Ortiz
editAfter improving to 11-0, Ortiz appeared a year later on the undercard of Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin II to face Roberto Ortiz. Vergil Ortiz knocked down his opponent with a right hand early in the second round. Roberto got up, but he was still hurt. Vergil attacked him immediately and knocked him down again with a right hand that sent his opponent to one knee. Roberto Ortiz reached his feet again, but the referee deemed him unfit to continue, calling off the fight.[6]
Rise up the ranks
editOrtiz Jr vs. Orozco
editOrtiz, who now had an unblemished record of 13-0, defeated Antonio Orozco by sixth-round technical knockout to win the vacant WBA Gold welterweight title on August 10, 2019, at The Theatre at Grand Prairie, Texas.[7] He defended the title in his next fight against Brad Solomon on December 13, 2019, in Indio, California, winning by fifth-round knockout.[8]
Ortiz Jr vs. Vargas
editOrtiz was originally scheduled to face Samuel Vargas on March 28, 2020, at The Forum, Inglewood, California on the undercard of Canelo Álvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders.[9] However, following the postponement of the fight between Álvarez and Saunders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fight took place on July 24, 2020, at the same venue as Ortiz's previous fight against Brad Solomon.[10] Ortiz won the fight by seventh-round technical knockout and retained his WBA Gold welterweight title.[11]
Ortiz Jr vs. Hooker
editOrtiz returned to the ring on March 20, 2021, beating Maurice Hooker with another seventh-round technical knockout in Fort Worth, Texas to win the vacant WBO International welterweight title.[12] Hooker was ranked #8 by the WBO, #13 by the WBC and #15 by the IBF at welterweight.[13]
Ortiz Jr vs. Kavaliauskas
editOn August 14, 2021, Ortiz defended the title against Egidijus Kavaliauskas. Kavaliauskas was ranked #5 by the WBO and #10 by the WBC at welterweight.[14] Kavaliauskas, who became Ortiz's first opponent to last longer than seven rounds, suffered five knockdowns as Ortiz won by eighth-round technical knockout.[15]
Ortiz Jr vs. McKinson
editOn August 6, 2022, Ortiz Jr fought Michael McKinson in an eliminator for the WBA world welterweight title. McKinson was ranked #5 by the WBO and #10 by the WBA at welterweight. Ortiz Jr beat McKinson by technical knockout in the 9th round.[16]
Ortiz Jr vs. Dulorme
editOn April 27, 2024 in Fresno, CA, Ortiz Jr was scheduled to face Thomas Dulorme.[17] He won the fight by knockout with liver shot in the first round.[18]
Ortiz Jr vs. Tszyu
editOrtiz Jr was scheduled to face Tim Tszyu on August 3, 2024 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.[19] On May 30, 2024 it was announced that the fight was canceled with medical advice.[20] Tszyu required more time to heal from the injury sustained in his previous bout against Sebastian Fundora in March.[21]
Ortiz Jr vs. Bohachuk
editOn June 24, 2024 it was announced that Ortiz Jr would face Serhii Bohachuk in Las Vegas on August 10, 2024.[22][23] Ortiz was knocked down twice in the bout, but went on to win via majority decision (114–112, 114–112, 113–113) after twelve competitive rounds;[24] this being the first time Ortiz had gone the full distance in a fight.
Professional boxing record
edit| 22 fights | 22 wins | 0 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 21 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Serhii Bohachuk | MD | 12 | Aug 10, 2024 | Michelob Ultra Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won WBC interim super welterweight title |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Thomas Dulorme | KO | 1 (12), 2:39 | Apr 27, 2024 | Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Fredrick Lawson | TKO | 1 (12), 2:33 | Jan 6, 2024 | Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Michael McKinson | TKO | 9 (12), 0:27 | Aug 6, 2022 | Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. | Retained WBO International welterweight title |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Egidijus Kavaliauskas | TKO | 8 (12), 2:59 | Aug 14, 2021 | Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, Texas, U.S. | Retained WBO International welterweight title |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Maurice Hooker | TKO | 7 (12), 0:36 | Mar 20, 2021 | Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. | Won vacant WBO International welterweight title |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Samuel Vargas | TKO | 7 (12), 2:58 | Jul 24, 2020 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | Retained WBA Gold welterweight title |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Brad Solomon | KO | 5 (12), 2:22 | Dec 13, 2019 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | Retained WBA Gold welterweight title |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Antonio Orozco | KO | 6 (12), 2:16 | Aug 10, 2019 | The Theatre at Grand Prairie, Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S. | Won vacant WBA Gold welterweight title |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Mauricio Herrera | KO | 3 (10), 0:29 | May 4, 2019 | T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Jesus A Valdez Barrayan | RTD | 5 (10), 3:00 | Jan 26, 2019 | Toyota Center, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Roberto Ortiz | TKO | 2 (10), 1:03 | Sep 15, 2018 | T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Juan Carlos Salgado | KO | 3 (10), 1:52 | Jun 23, 2018 | Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Jesus Alvarez Rodriguez | TKO | 3 (8), 2:23 | Feb 22, 2018 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | Won vacant NABF Junior super lightweight title |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Evandro Cavalheiro | TKO | 1 (8), 0:21 | Nov 16, 2017 | Polifórum Benito Juárez, Cancún, Mexico | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Cesar Valenzuela | TKO | 2 (6), 1:22 | Sep 16, 2017 | T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Ricardo Alan Fernandez | TKO | 1 (6), 2:09 | Jun 17, 2017 | Tostitos Championship Plaza, Frisco, Texas, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Angel Sarinana | TKO | 3 (4), 1:44 | May 5, 2017 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Israel Villela | KO | 1 (4), 1:26 | Jan 28, 2017 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Nestor Garcia | KO | 1 (4), 3:00 | Dec 16, 2016 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Ernesto Hernandez | KO | 1 (4), 0:40 | Sep 17, 2016 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Julio Rodas | KO | 1 (4), 1:37 | Jul 30, 2016 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b DAZN tale of the tape prior to the Fredrick Lawson fight.
- ^ "Vergil Ortiz Jr Golden Boy Promotions". goldenboypromotions.com. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
- ^ "Prospect of the Year". The Ring. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ "BoxRec: Vergil Ortiz Jr". boxrec.com. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Cesar Valenzuela, GGG vs. Canelo | Boxing Bout". Tapology. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ Idec, Keith (September 15, 2018). "Vergil Ortiz Stops Roberto Ortiz In Two on Canelo-GGG Card". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ Christ, Scott (August 10, 2019). "Vergil Ortiz Jr stops Orozco in six, Franco and Negrete draw again". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ "Vergil Ortiz Jr. records fifth-round KO of Brad Solomon for 15th victory | DAZN News US". DAZN. December 14, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ "Canelo's coach confirms Saunders next for Mexican superstar". The Independent. March 1, 2020. Archived from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ "BOXING IS BACK ON DAZN". DAZN Media Centre. June 30, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ "Ortiz vs. Vargas results: Vergil Ortiz Jr. pummels Samuel Vargas to notch 16th consecutive KO | DAZN News UK". DAZN. July 25, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ Christ, Scott (March 21, 2021). "Results and highlights: Vergil Ortiz Jr stops Maurice Hooker in firefight, Seniesa Estrada wins first world title". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ "Ortiz Jr vs Hooker - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ Zamarripa, Jaime. "Ortiz Jr vs Kavaliauskas - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ "Vergil Ortiz Jr. overcomes adversity to knock down Mean Machine five times to win by eighth-round TKO | DAZN News US". DAZN. August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- ^ ericna. "Ortiz Jr vs McKinson - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (March 27, 2024). "Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Thomas Dulorme co-feature to Ramirez-Barthelemy". FIGHTMAG.
- ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (April 28, 2024). "Vergil Ortiz Jr KO's Thomas Dulorme in first round, 'ready' for Tim Tszyu". FIGHTMAG.
- ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (April 25, 2024). "Tim Tszyu to face Vergil Ortiz Jr on Crawford vs Madrimov card in LA". FIGHTMAG.
- ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (May 31, 2024). "Tim Tszyu vs Vergil Ortiz Jr fight canceled on medical advice". FIGHTMAG.
- ^ "Tsyzu-Ortiz bout cancelled on medical advice". ESPN.com. May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Sources: Ortiz, Bohachuk agree to fight in Vegas". ESPN.com. June 24, 2024.
- ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (June 25, 2024). "Vergil Ortiz Jr to face Serhii Bohachuk in Las Vegas in August". FIGHTMAG.
- ^ "Vergil Ortiz Jr. outlasts Serhii Bohachuk for majority decision win in Fight of the Year contender". CBSSports.com. August 11, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
External links
edit- Boxing record for Vergil Ortiz Jr. from BoxRec (registration required)
- Vergil Ortiz Jr. - Profile, News Archive & Current Rankings at Box.Live