Two years after being sidelined by health issues, Vergil Ortiz Jr. is ready to make a comeback in the boxing ring. The 25-year-old fighter, who once had the sport buzzing with his knockout victories, has his sights set on facing top talents at 154 pounds. Despite his setbacks, Ortiz is determined to prove himself against the likes of Tim Tszyu, Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr., and Jaron Ennis.
Ortiz’s journey to his upcoming fight against Fredrick Lawson on January 6 at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas has been marked by a series of health scares. He had to cancel or postpone fights three times due to muscle condition rhabdomyolysis, dehydration, and heat exhaustion. These setbacks made him question his future in the sport and left him watching as his peers achieved world titles and gained popularity.
It sucked pretty bad. After the first cancelled fight, I thought I could come back stronger. But after the third cancelled fight, I was like ‘What the f*** is going on?’ I started to have doubts about my future, Ortiz revealed.
However, the health issues eventually subsided, allowing Ortiz to focus on his training without the fear of his body failing him again. Moving up to the 154-pound weight class, he sees the opportunity to face the likes of Crawford and Spence, who have held titles at that weight for an extended period.
My body was telling me to move up in weight. They held those belts hostage for a long time. It seemed like I was never going to get my shot and I never did. But all of those guys are going to move up eventually, Ortiz explained.
Despite his extended absence from the ring, Ortiz believes his inactivity may work in his favor and attract potential opponents. He remains determined to face anyone with a proven track record, including Spence, Crawford, Ennis, Tszyu, and Charlo.
People are probably going to try to target me now because they don’t think that I’m 100% anymore. And let them think that, I don’t care. They can think what they want. They can come find out, Ortiz confidently stated.
With the super welterweight division currently in flux after Jermell Charlo’s loss to Canelo Alvarez and the expected moves of Spence and Crawford to 154 pounds, Ortiz sees an opportunity to carve out his place among the elite names in the sport. He plans to seize this chance by showcasing his skills and challenging the best fighters in his weight class.
I might have to do some talking after my fight. I might say a thing or two to get out of my comfort zone because I just want to fight the best so I can prove that I’m the best, Ortiz declared.
Ortiz’s return to the ring against Lawson will be the first step in his journey to reestablish himself as a force to be reckoned with. After that, he plans to make his intentions known to his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, and the boxing world.
I’ll fight anyone that has a pedigree. Whether that is Spence, Crawford, Ennis, Tszyu, or Charlo. All of those names that sound like a threat excite me. That’s what I want, Ortiz concluded.
As boxing fans eagerly await Ortiz’s return, all eyes will be on his upcoming fight and his potential matchups with the top fighters in the super welterweight division. The road to redemption starts on January 6, and Ortiz is determined to prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the sport.
