Vergil Ortiz Jr

Early Life and Amateur Career

 

Vergil Ortiz Jr. was born on March 25, 1998, in Dallas, Texas. His introduction to boxing came at an early age, influenced significantly by his father, Vergil Ortiz Sr. When Ortiz Jr. was just seven years old, his father took him to a local boxing gym, hoping to channel his son’s energy into something structured and disciplined. This decision would set Ortiz Jr. on a path that defined his future.

 

As he grew older, Ortiz Jr.’s talent in boxing became increasingly apparent. His amateur career was marked by notable achievements and a record that underscored his prowess in the ring. Over the course of his amateur career, Ortiz Jr. amassed an impressive record of 140 wins with only 20 losses. His skill set and determination led him to win multiple national championships, including a prestigious victory at the Junior Olympics.

 

Ortiz Jr.’s ability to dominate his weight class in the amateur ranks was evident through his performances against high-caliber opponents. His fighting style, characterized by aggressive offense and technical skill, made him a formidable opponent in the ring. One of the significant milestones in his amateur career came in 2013, when he claimed the title at the National Silver Gloves tournament, signaling his readiness to transition to the professional ranks.

 

Professional Career

 

In an explosive ascent within the boxing world, Vergil Ortiz Jr. has swiftly climbed the ranks, marking his presence with a series of formidable victories. Ortiz Jr. made an indelible impression right from the start of his career, securing stoppage wins in his first six bouts, with only one extending beyond the first round. His relentless power was on full display during his seventh fight on September 16, 2017, at the undercard of the highly anticipated Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin I. There, he achieved a second-round technical knockout against Cesar Valenzuela.

 

Ortiz Jr.’s momentum continued as he advanced to 11-0, featuring once again on the undercard of Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin II. During this event, he delivered a notable performance against Roberto Ortiz, knocking him down twice in the second round and securing a stoppage. His streak continued, and by August 10, 2019, Ortiz Jr. had claimed the vacant WBA Gold welterweight title by defeating Antonio Orozco with a sixth-round technical knockout at The Theatre in Grand Prairie, Texas. He successfully defended this title later that year on December 13 against Brad Solomon in Indio, California, with a victory by fifth-round knockout.

 

Scheduled to fight Samuel Vargas on March 28, 2020, at The Forum in Inglewood, California, the bout was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but eventually took place on July 24, 2020. Ortiz Jr. triumphed with a seventh-round technical knockout, retaining his WBA Gold welterweight title.

 

March 20, 2021, saw Ortiz Jr. back in the ring at Fort Worth, Texas, where he secured the vacant WBO International welterweight title by defeating Maurice Hooker with a seventh-round technical knockout. He defended this title against Egidijus Kavaliauskas on August 14, 2021, where Kavaliauskas suffered five knockdowns before Ortiz Jr. ended the fight in the eighth round with a technical knockout.

 

Continuing his winning streak, Ortiz Jr. faced Michael McKinson on August 6, 2022, in a bout that served as an eliminator for the WBA world welterweight title. He dominated McKinson, concluding the match with a ninth-round technical knockout. Most recently, on April 27, 2024, in Fresno, CA, Ortiz Jr. delivered a stunning first-round knockout against Thomas Dulorme with a precise liver shot.

 

Looking ahead, Vergil Ortiz Jr. is set to face Tim Tszyu on August 3, 2024, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. This upcoming match promises to be another exciting chapter in Ortiz Jr.’s already illustrious career, as he continues to showcase his exceptional skill and tenacity in the ring.