Ortiz-McKinson lands in Los Angeles

Undefeated welterweight knockout artist Vergil Ortiz Jr. (18-0, 18 KOs) will clash with WBO #3 ranked Michael “The Problem” McKinson (21-0, 2 KOs) on March 19 in a 12-round fight for the WBO International title at University of Southern California’s Galen Center in downtown Los Angeles and will stream live, worldwide, exclusively on DAZN.

Ortiz is a 10:1 favorite, but McKinson promoter Eddie Hearn likes his man’s chances. “Michael has got the style to beat Vergil, who for me is already a top five welterweight in the world, a brilliant and powerful fighter. There’s only certain styles that can beat him, and Michael has a style to cause Vergil all sorts of problems.”

Ortiz promoter Oscar De La Hoya stated that Vergil is ready to fight against the elite in the division starting with McKinson.

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    • Lucie looks like another no risk fight for Ortiz. They sure like to match the Aside against guys with no pop when they can get away with it.

      • They hit the jackpot here Johnny. Not only can McKinson not punch, he’s also rated highly.

      • Lets not forget that Ortiz has been calling for big names. He mentioned Crawford in his last interview saying hes ready for him and Crawford laughed it off. At this point, i think Ortiz will fight anyone jus to keep busy until a big name steps up. I think he and Ennis are coming up hard and causing a lil panik in that division.

        • He’s ranked #1 by the WBO and the WBC. Crawford just made his mandatory. Spence, obviously, hasn’t made one in a really long time. Ortiz may be able to call his own shot late this year.

          • That’s what we are all hoping. Ortiz is ready for a big name. He is the kind of fighter that doesnt care about his record, hes jus ready to fight. My kinda fighter

          • although Crawford did finally make a mandatory against a fighter who was about to retire he finally fought a fighter that was currently ranked in the top 5 good for him

          • Oh I understand. My point was that he just had that fight, so he’s free to do fight whoever he wants for awhile.

  • Looks like Virgil, Jr. will apply high pressure for another TKO/KO victory. The Ortiz, Jr. vs. Ennis trains are approaching for an eventual collision.

  • I remember the days when the likes of Tito Trinidad would fight a host of undefeated fighters on his way to stardom! Oh and all before the age of 30!! Let’s get this going! Why not now?? Ortiz vs Ennis!! Otherwise we’ll be waiting like we are now for Spence vs Crawford….

    • Doubt this happens at this point. I think Ortiz is Golden Boy and Ennis PBC. Only way something like that happens is if so much money involved a loss doesn’t matter if not not worth promoters risk
      I remember back in the day CBS Sports had Donald Curry vs Marlon Starling both young and undefeated but i think they were both Top Rank.

    • Exactly my friend. Those two are young “old school” boxers. They dont give a damn about records, they jus wanna test their skills by fighting the best. Very old school. I love it!

  • Ortiz got his cage rattled pretty badly last time out against the Eastern European fighter, no way Golden Boy puts him in with someone like Ennis after that; despite the promotional hurdles. McKinson elite? Not with two 2 Ko’s in 21 wins. That’s Paulie Malignaggi-esque. Ortiz will wear this guy down and get a stoppage, not enough pop by “The Problem” to keep Ortiz at bay.

  • Boxing is literally the only sport that takes its fans for fools. I am an avid follower of boxing and I have never even heard of this McKinson guy. One thing is for certain, even if he can box he can’t punch for shit. There literally was no bigger name that Ortiz could step up to? Oh well, color me surprised.

  • Am I not reading that correctly or is that a typo? Should it really say 20 KO’s?…You gotta be kidding me! One of “The Problems” McKinson has is, he has no power!

  • Great to see Ortiz in with someone with the power to make him think. Oh wait, ermm.

  • here we go another safe fight for Oscars fighters come on and he just recently bumped up to #4 not #3 as the article suggest either way he will come to lose but get paid well im sure are we watching boxing or WWE now days?

  • Very similar situation Top Rank was in with Crawford seems like they cant get him any of the big fights or pay days. Vergil is still very young yes but he should be improving his competition setback fight in my opinion. would like to see him against someone like
    David Avanesyan

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