By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside
WBO #1 welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. (18-0, 18 KOs) fighting in front of his hometown fans for the second fight in a row, put the welterweight division on notice in emphatic fashion as he blasted out the “Mean Machine” Egidijus Kavaliauskas (22-2-1, 18 KOs) in the 8th round via TKO to retain his WBO International title in front of a packed house at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco and home to the Dallas Cowboys. Ortiz Jr. dropped Kavaliauskas in round three and four more times in the eighth, before referee Laurence Cole waived it off 2:59 of the scheduled twelve.
Ortiz Jr. came out in round one showing a stiff jab as both fighters were using it as a feeling out round. By round two, both guys went toe to toe as predicted as Ortiz Jr. started to throw overhand rights and left hooks and “Mean Machine” came back with counters of his own and looked to drop Ortiz Jr., but was immediately called a slip by Cole. Ortiz Jr. bounced right up to show he was not hurt and went straight back on the attack. It was now officially a firefight.
Ortiz Jr. behind a tight defense the whole fight went back on the attack in round three and dropped “Mean Machine” with a right and then left that put him on the canvas for the first time. Over the next few rounds, Ortiz Jr. picked his spots, but in round four Ortiz Jr. threw his full arsenal with overhand rights, big uppercuts and shots to the body. In round six, “Mean Machine” appeared to quickly buckle Ortiz Jr knees, but Ortiz Jr. as he did all night came back firing as he snapped “Mean Machine’s” head back later in the round. In round seven, there was more exchanges as both fighters landed their power shots.
And then came round eight when Ortiz Jr. showed the boxing world, he could very well be the next superstar in the sport when he closed the show with the four knockdowns. It was the first knockdown to the body that Ortiz Jr. knew that the end was near as he told the media afterwards that it wasn’t a big punch. And finally, after four times on the canvas and a valiant effort from Kavaliauskas, it was obvious he had enough, and the fight was rightfully stopped.
This fight was night and day from Ortiz Jr. last fight against Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker when he admitted post fight, he was only 70% due to COVID and hardly sparred leading up to the fight and admitted to Fightnews at weigh-ins Friday a cancellation was possible.
“It probably would have been the most logical just the way I was feeling and how camp went,” Ortiz said. “I barely sparred. I didn’t want to. I was already at camp; I already went through the whole COVID thing and worked my ass off. I wasn’t about to go back home after all that.”
He was happy with his performance considering he had to knockout COVID as well.
“If I didn’t have COVID, then no, but with the circumstances and how I was feeling and how camp went, I think I did ok.”
Ortiz Jr., who has knocked out every opponent thrown his way in seventeen fights, went right after the 2x Olympian and world title challenger from Lithuania. Kavaliauskas predicted coming in there would be fireworks as his and Ortiz style was made for each other. And although he was right, he did not have enough to fend off the skilled Ortiz who possesses power in both hands
Ortiz predicted going in as well that the fight would live up to its billing of nonstop action.
“it’s going to be action packed, explosive and it’s going to be an exciting fight.”
And although Ortiz has his sights on a world title and possibly the WBO belt held by one of the pound for pound best in Terence “Bud” Crawford, he was fine going through “Mean Machine” first who arguably gave Crawford his toughest fight.
“That would be a good thing, but you never know, he’s in line to fight Porter,” Ortiz Jr. told Fightnews before the fight. “The champs are fighting each other too, Pacquiao and Ugas, so it’s going to be hard to secure one of those big fights next, so we are going to have to wait and see.”
After his big test and knockout performance against the “Mean Machine,” there is no doubt that Ortiz Jr. is one of the best welterweights in the world and might be well on his way to be the future face of boxing.
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— Kava dropped 4x in the 8th.
Couldn’t stay on his feet by then. Good fight and good stoppage with Vergil hurt and dropped early in the fight. Need more Vergils and Kavas in boxing to be sure.
A true young champ who fights like a veteran
Okay, I want to see Ortiz fight against Porter. It’s too early for Ortiz vs. Ennis.
I believe Crawford is looking for a fight against PacMan (or Ugas). I hope PacMan defeats Ugas, so PacMan can have a final fight against Crawford.
Not sure what the heck García is doing for now, but he is taking up too much dust. Maybe García and Ennis can arrange a scrap. Let’s not forget about a lurking Stanionis.
Spence’s career is currently a big mystery.
147 involves a lot of high speed chess moves.
I’d love to see Ortiz and Stanionis mix it up!
Virgil Ortiz is a KO Killing Machine
this fight helped Vergil alot. He is a good fighter. Too early for Bud and unnecessary at this point. Fight a Danny Garcia next and stop him. Or learn how to go 12 hard. Or Porter. Spence would be a pick em. Spence is slow. Nuff said.
I didnt see the fight but felt Kavaliauskas took a few dives, i feel for the commentators trying to pronounce his name
If you didn’t see the fight how do you say he took dives?
Good solid win for Ortiz, but he is the biggest welterweight I have ever seen. He is also very open for big shots and could be a KO waiting to happen.
Vergil is tough as nails but so was Mean Machine, after getting tagged by Mean Machine, Vergil got his defense up high, stayed behind the jab and looked amazing. Lots of fights out there, hope boxing can get its act together.
Ortiz look good was tested by Kavaliauskas power took better than Crawfish did and did what Crawfish did but a round faster now whats funny to me is the current BS rankings the WBO had Porter as Buds mandatory but now its Ortiz ??? i think its too early for Ortiz but of the 3 elite champions( Ugas doesnt count) then Crawfish is Ortiz best bet both Manny and Spence too much for Ortiz right now and Crawfish only fights has been or pretenders and has yet to fight a top 5 current 147lber
Ortiz vs Ennis is the late 2022 or 2023 unification fight in the welter weight division.
A disciplined and impressive performance by Vergil Ortiz, Jr. He was buzzed in the second round but recovered and took control of the fight behind his shotgun jab. His body shots started taking a toll on Kavaliauskas and he showed signs of wilting as the rounds went on. He was still dangerous with his counters but Vergil stuck to the game plan and got the KO in the 8th.
This fight was a good test for Ortiz and he passed it with flying colors. Many experts have disparaged his defense. I believe he’s defensively responsible and keeps his hands high most of the time. He is vulnerable to the uppercut when he has the earmuffs on, but as the fight went on, he relaxed that stance and started lowering the hands slightly and seeing everything that came his way. When he threw punches from too far away, he paid for it by being out of position and countered. He rarely did that after getting jolted by counters.
Ortiz punches hard with both hands and doesn’t stop with a simple left jab and right hand. He follows up in the same combination with another jab or a left hook/uppercut and mixes up his attack to the body and head. I really enjoy watching him fight.
Ortiz is capable of knocking out Crawford. Crawford can be hurt and hasn’t proven himself at welterweight. Ortiz is a full-fledged welterweight and throws straight shots without telegraphing them. I don’t know if Vergil’s jab can be effective against Crawford’s left-handed stance. He does throw it with power and it has the effect of a power punch wherever it lands.
Vergil’s future is bright and I really look forward to a fight late this year and possibly two or three in 2022. He can win titles in the welterweight and super welterweight divisions, if he moves up. Assuming he maintains his work ethic and listens to his corner, he can win one or more titles in the not too distant future.