Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Last updated

Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Born (1998-03-25) March 25, 1998 (age 26)
Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm) [1]
Reach74 in (188 cm) [1]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights23
Wins23
Wins by KO21
Medal record
Men's Amateur boxing
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Golden Gloves
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2016 Salt Lake City Light welterweight
Silver Gloves
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2012 Missouri Strawweight
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2013 Missouri Light flyweight
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2014 Missouri Bantamweight
US National PAL Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2013 Mobile Flyweight
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2014 Reno Atomweight

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 2024.

Contents

As an amateur, he was a seven-time national champion and won the 110 pounds category at the USA's Junior Olympic National Championships in 2013. [2] [3] He was named the 2019 Prospect of the Year by The Ring magazine. [4] Ortiz is known for his exceptional punching power, having scored all but two of his wins by knockout. [5]

Professional career

Early career

Ortiz 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

His 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. [6]

Ortiz Jr vs. Ortiz

After 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. [7]

Rise up the ranks

Ortiz Jr vs. Orozco

Ortiz, 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. [8] He defended the title in his next fight against Brad Solomon on December 13, 2019, in Indio, California, winning by fifth-round knockout. [9]

Ortiz Jr vs. Vargas

Ortiz 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. [10] 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. [11] Ortiz won the fight by seventh-round technical knockout and retained his WBA Gold welterweight title. [12]

Ortiz Jr vs. Hooker

Ortiz 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. [13] Hooker was ranked #8 by the WBO, #13 by the WBC and #15 by the IBF at welterweight. [14]

Ortiz Jr vs. Kavaliauskas

On August 14, 2021, Ortiz defended the title against Egidijus Kavaliauskas. Kavaliauskas was ranked #5 by the WBO and #10 by the WBC at welterweight. [15] Kavaliauskas, who became Ortiz's first opponent to last longer than seven rounds, suffered five knockdowns as Ortiz won by eighth-round technical knockout. [16]

Ortiz Jr vs. McKinson

On 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. [17]

Ortiz Jr vs. Dulorme

On April 27, 2024 in Fresno, CA, Ortiz Jr was scheduled to face Thomas Dulorme. [18] He won the fight by knockout with liver shot in the first round. [19]

Ortiz Jr vs. Tszyu

Ortiz Jr was scheduled to face Tim Tszyu on August 3, 2024 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. [20] On May 30, 2024 it was announced that the fight was canceled with medical advice. [21] Tszyu required more time to heal from the injury sustained in his previous bout against Sebastian Fundora in March. [22]

Interim WBC super welterweight champion

Ortiz Jr vs. Bohachuk

On June 24, 2024 it was announced that Ortiz Jr would face Serhii Bohachuk in Las Vegas on August 10, 2024. [23] [24] 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; [25] this being the first time Ortiz had gone the full distance in a fight.

Ortiz Jr vs. Madrimov

On February 22, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Ortiz defeated Israil Madrimov by unanimous decision to retain his interim WBC super welterweight title. [26] [27]

Professional boxing record

23 fights23 wins0 losses
By knockout210
By decision20
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
23Win23–0 Israil Madrimov UD12Feb 22, 2025The Venue Riyadh Season, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaRetained WBC interim super welterweight title
22Win22–0 Serhii Bohachuk MD12Aug 10, 2024 Michelob Ultra Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won WBC interim super welterweight title
21Win21–0 Thomas Dulorme KO1 (12), 2:39Apr 27, 2024 Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, U.S.
20Win20–0Fredrick LawsonTKO1 (12), 2:33Jan 6, 2024 Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S
19Win19–0 Michael McKinson TKO9 (12), 0:27Aug 6, 2022Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.Retained WBO International welterweight title
18Win18–0 Egidijus Kavaliauskas TKO8 (12), 2:59Aug 14, 2021 Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, Texas, U.S.Retained WBO International welterweight title
17Win17–0 Maurice Hooker TKO7 (12), 0:36Mar 20, 2021 Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.Won vacant WBO International welterweight title
16Win16–0 Samuel Vargas TKO7 (12), 2:58 Jul 24, 2020 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.Retained WBA Gold welterweight title
15Win15–0 Brad Solomon KO5 (12), 2:22Dec 13, 2019Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.Retained WBA Gold welterweight title
14Win14–0 Antonio Orozco KO6 (12), 2:16Aug 10, 2019 The Theatre at Grand Prairie, Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.Won vacant WBA Gold welterweight title
13Win13–0 Mauricio Herrera KO3 (10), 0:29 May 4, 2019 T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12Win12–0Jesus A Valdez BarrayanRTD5 (10), 3:00Jan 26, 2019 Toyota Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.
11Win11–0 Roberto Ortiz TKO2 (10), 1:03 Sep 15, 2018 T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
10Win10–0 Juan Carlos Salgado KO3 (10), 1:52Jun 23, 2018 Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
9Win9–0Jesus Alvarez RodriguezTKO3 (8), 2:23Feb 22, 2018Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.Won vacant NABF Junior super lightweight title
8Win8–0Evandro CavalheiroTKO1 (8), 0:21Nov 16, 2017 Polifórum Benito Juárez, Cancún, Mexico
7Win7–0Cesar ValenzuelaTKO2 (6), 1:22 Sep 16, 2017 T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
6Win6–0Ricardo Alan FernandezTKO1 (6), 2:09Jun 17, 2017Tostitos Championship Plaza, Frisco, Texas, U.S.
5Win5–0Angel SarinanaTKO3 (4), 1:44May 5, 2017 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
4Win4–0Israel VillelaKO1 (4), 1:26Jan 28, 2017Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
3Win3–0Nestor GarciaKO1 (4), 3:00Dec 16, 2016Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
2Win2–0Ernesto HernandezKO1 (4), 0:40Sep 17, 2016 AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S.
1Win1–0Julio RodasKO1 (4), 1:37Jul 30, 2016 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 DAZN tale of the tape prior to the Fredrick Lawson fight.
  2. ↑ "Vergil Ortiz Jr Golden Boy Promotions". goldenboypromotions.com. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  3. ↑ "2013 Junior Olympic National Championships".
  4. ↑ "Prospect of the Year". The Ring. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  5. ↑ "BoxRec: Vergil Ortiz Jr". boxrec.com. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Cesar Valenzuela, GGG vs. Canelo | Boxing Bout". Tapology. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  7. ↑ Idec, Keith (September 15, 2018). "Vergil Ortiz Stops Roberto Ortiz In Two on Canelo-GGG Card". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  8. ↑ Christ, Scott (August 10, 2019). "Vergil Ortiz Jr stops Orozco in six, Franco and Negrete draw again". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Vergil Ortiz Jr. records fifth-round KO of Brad Solomon for 15th victory | DAZN News US". DAZN. December 14, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ "BOXING IS BACK ON DAZN". DAZN Media Centre. June 30, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ "Ortiz Jr vs Hooker - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  15. ↑ Zamarripa, Jaime. "Ortiz Jr vs Kavaliauskas - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  16. ↑ "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.
  17. ↑ ericna. "Ortiz Jr vs McKinson - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  18. ↑ Iskenderov, Parviz (March 27, 2024). "Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Thomas Dulorme co-feature to Ramirez-Barthelemy". FIGHTMAG.
  19. ↑ Iskenderov, Parviz (April 28, 2024). "Vergil Ortiz Jr KO's Thomas Dulorme in first round, 'ready' for Tim Tszyu". FIGHTMAG.
  20. ↑ Iskenderov, Parviz (April 25, 2024). "Tim Tszyu to face Vergil Ortiz Jr on Crawford vs Madrimov card in LA". FIGHTMAG.
  21. ↑ Iskenderov, Parviz (May 31, 2024). "Tim Tszyu vs Vergil Ortiz Jr fight canceled on medical advice". FIGHTMAG.
  22. ↑ "Tsyzu-Ortiz bout cancelled on medical advice". ESPN.com. May 31, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Sources: Ortiz, Bohachuk agree to fight in Vegas". ESPN.com. June 24, 2024.
  24. ↑ Iskenderov, Parviz (June 25, 2024). "Vergil Ortiz Jr to face Serhii Bohachuk in Las Vegas in August". FIGHTMAG.
  25. ↑ "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.
  26. ↑ Iskenderov, Parviz (February 22, 2025). "Vergil Ortiz Jr bests Israil Madrimov by decision to retain interim title". FIGHTMAG.
  27. ↑ "Vergil Ortiz Jr Stays Poised In Slow-Burning Madrimov Matchup To Retain WBC Interim Crown". RingMagazine.com. February 22, 2025.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Yves Ulysse Jr. 		NABF Junior
light-welterweight champion
February 22, 2018 – December 2018
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Arnold Barboza Jr.
New title WBA Gold
welterweight champion
August 10, 2019 – March 2021
Vacated		Vacant
Vacant
Title last held by
Custio Clayton 		WBO International
welterweight champion
March 20, 2021 – November 2023
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Brian Norman Jr.
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBC light-middleweight champion
Interim title
August 10, 2024 – present		Incumbent
Awards
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Teofimo Lopez 		The Ring Prospect of the Year
2019		Next:
Jaron Ennis
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