By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside
Unbeaten welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr scored a sixth round KO over Antonio Orozco to win the WBA gold belt and an accompanying world title challenge on Saturday night at The Theatre at Grand Prairie in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Ortiz Jr (14-0, 14 KOs), out of Grand Prairie, TX, and fighting in his hometown for the first time as a pro, came out smoking from the opening bell as he landed a big body shot against former world title contender Antonio Orozco (28-2, 17 KOs) right from the jump. He soon followed up with a flurry of shots in the corner, before Orozco escaped initially. Ortiz got Orozco in trouble later in the round with power punches to the head and body, but Orozco showed his championship mettle by withstanding the initial onslaughts of Ortiz. In the 2nd round of the pro-Ortiz crowd, both guys landed to the body as Ortiz was going for the KO. Orozco went toe to toe with Ortiz who his trainer Robert Garcia called a future multi division world champion.
In the 3rd round, Ortiz worked behind the jab and landed combos and a right hand that stunned Orozco who continued to fire back. Much like his stablemate Jose Ramirez, Ortiz went toe to toe with the veteran Orozco. Ortiz continued to try and land his powerful right hand to end the fight early, but Orozco was not going away easy. It seemed in the 4th and 5th round that Ortiz took his foot off the gas slightly and was satisfied boxing from the outside.
But in the decisive 6th round of the scheduled 12, Ortiz went back on the attack and started landing his powerful combos again to the head and body as Orozco squats low to the ground every time. Ortiz timed it and landed his right hand to open the round and finally dropped Orozco midway through. Orozco got back to his feet, before Ortiz began landing at will and dropped Orozco for a second time. Ortiz smelled blood and finished off Orozco with another flurry of punches and before Orozco could even think to get back to his feet, Referee Mark Calo-oy waived it off. The time of the 6th round stoppage was 2:16.
Ortiz told Fightnews.com early this week, that Orozco was a big rock to climb in his 2nd fight at welterweight. Golden Boy president Eric Gomez also said Orozco was a big test for him and as continued to pass each one in his young career. Ortiz is expecting to fight for a world title in the next 2 years, but after a performance like tonight, he may want to move up that timeline. If nothing else, Ortiz, showed he is ready for his next big test in a division that is stacked with Spence Jr., Crawford, Thurman, Garcia and Pacquiao.
Don’t kid yourselves, Ortiz would beat any of the current welterweights, including the champions, right now.
I like that comment Michael and he jus may, BUT hes only 21. whats the rush. I think, and again jus my opinion but i think he is still 1 step away from the big boy champs..let him develop 1 more year. At that point, He wld give them ALL a great match and potentially win convincingly.
I like Ortiz. Good style, great attitude. But he did nothing to convince me he is ready for the champions based on this performance. He walked into some big shots by a light punching Jr. Welterweight. He may beat Pacquiao at his advanced age but he’s a loong way off from Crawford and Spence … I say 3 more fights then give him D. Garcia and then Porter. If he makes it that far then I’ll be on board all the way.
Orozco was giving a good account of himself during the first 5 rounds. I don’t like the way Ortiz fought off the ropes in the early rounds. He was giving Orozco a chance to do some damage. However, he stopped doing that by the fourth round and started stepping around Orozco.
Orozco’s corner told him to push Ortiz in the sixth round. Unfortunately, Ortiz was the one who stepped it up into a higher gear and hurt Orozco, then finished him off with three knockdowns. It seemed to me he just decided to end it right then and his punches were on target and much harder than before.
I believe Ortiz is a match for any of the current champions. He’s defensively responsible, is a good boxer, and hits hard with both hands. This was a big test for him and he passed with flying colors. His future is exceptionally bright.
This kid is a huge puncher, obviously, but he can box too. And his training team! This dude is ready now.
great fight.
On a collision course with Devin Haney. Haney by KO.
When Haney becomes a welterweight, maybe Ortiz is planning retirement, also, I have seen him very close to F Mayweather and L Ellerbe. We all know their techniques to choose opponents.
Devin Haney? Dude, Haney is way too small for Ortiz, they better keep Haney far away from Ortiz! He would blast him out within 6 rounds. I like Ortiz’ demeanor as well, what a breath of fresh air compared to that other loud mouth clown Teofimo Lopez whi does his stupid feminine dance after each fight where he looks like he’s twerking lol. Lopez would blast that clown in under 3 rounds.
Lopez would knock out the clown Lopez, Lopez?
He fights with a good hard punching swarmer/brawler with a decentchin hes one and done. If Orozco was a harder puncher Ortiz would have been finished.
And don’t you know that’s why he attacked with reckless abandon! He knew Orozco couldn’t hurt him! Why do people think that a guy is going to block every blow coming his way?
Impressive win for Ortiz because he had to adjust against a tough veteran. Ortiz definitely passed the test unlike Teofimo and Munguia who didnt know how to get rid of crafty veterans.
Fact: Shawn Porter has the style to beat him and will knock him into tomorrow.