Vergil Ortiz Jr., once a burgeoning knockout artist in boxing, is determined to reinvigorate his career with ambitious plans for the coming year. After facing significant health setbacks, Ortiz is eager to return to the spotlight and remind the world of his prowess in the ring. With a record of 19-0, including 19 knockouts, Ortiz had previously captivated fans with his aggressive and fan-friendly style.
Ortiz’s career faced hurdles due to rhabdomyolysis, a serious muscle condition, followed by severe dehydration and heat exhaustion, leading to more fight cancellations and postponements than completed bouts since his impressive victory over Egidijus Kavaliauskas in August 2021. The year 2023 was particularly challenging, with a much-anticipated bout against WBA world welterweight champ Eimantas Stanionis being repeatedly delayed and ultimately canceled.
Now, Ortiz is set to end a 17-month layoff with a bout against Fredrick Lawson at the junior middleweight limit of 154 pounds. This fight, streamed by DAZN from Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, marks Ortiz’s debut in this weight class and his opportunity to shake off any rust and adapt to new challenges.
Ortiz expressed his desire to stay active in 2024, aiming to fight at least three times, if not four. “I wanna be active. I want my name to be in peoples’ mouths again,” Ortiz conveyed his motivation. His goal is to recapture the momentum he once had when fighting frequently.
Looking ahead, Ortiz has set his sights high, eyeing potential matchups with top fighters like former fully unified 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo, WBO junior middleweight champ Tim Tszyu, and even former undisputed welterweight champions Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. For now, Ortiz is focused on overcoming Lawson and proving that he can still be the high-caliber fighter that fans and analysts once eagerly followed. This upcoming fight is more than just a comeback; it’s a chance for Ortiz to redefine his career and reassert his presence in the world of boxing.
Image Credit: DAZN