WILL VERGIL ORTIZ BECOME CHAMPION AT 154LBS ?
In a surprising turn of events, Vergil Ortiz Jr. secured a first-round TKO victory over Fredrick Lawson on a Saturday night in Las Vegas, bringing his unbeaten record to an impressive 20-0 with 20 knockouts. However, the global consensus differed from Ortiz's satisfaction, as many boxing enthusiasts, particularly on social media, questioned the legitimacy of the fight's conclusion.
Speculations and criticisms flooded in, with accusations of the bout being pre-determined, claims of Lawson being unjustly robbed, and harsh judgments on the referee, Tony Weeks, deeming him utterly clueless. Despite the uproar, Ortiz Jr. remains unfazed by the controversy surrounding his premature win.
The final moments of the fight saw Lawson seemingly defending against Ortiz Jr.'s onslaught, with only one right hand landing, causing minimal damage. Ortiz Jr., returning after a 16-month layoff, aimed to impress his fans but found himself thwarted by the referee's intervention. Many argue that Golden Boy Promotions could have selected a more formidable opponent than the 34-year-old Lawson, who had suffered three knockout defeats in the past, opponents whom Ortiz Jr. could have effortlessly dominated.
Addressing the criticisms, Ortiz Jr. defended the stoppage, stating that as a fighter, he knew a knockout was imminent, and Weeks intervened to prevent unnecessary punishment to Lawson. However, fans, hungry for the dramatic and the ugly, continued to express dissatisfaction.
Despite the controversy, Ortiz Jr. expressed readiness to take on challenges, even mentioning a potential bout with WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu. Promoter Oscar De La Hoya threw his support behind Ortiz Jr., praising his undefeated record of 20 fights and 20 knockouts as unparalleled in the current boxing landscape.
De La Hoya emphasized the old-school mentality of Ortiz Jr., highlighting the willingness to travel the world for championship fights. The prospect of facing Tszyu in Australia was not dismissed, with Team Vergil expressing openness to such opportunities.
Trainer Robert Garcia, acknowledging the challenges of finding suitable sparring partners due to Ortiz Jr.'s power and strength, spoke of the boxer's dedication and improvement areas. Despite a brief separation, Garcia and Ortiz Jr. maintained their friendship, with the former pushing the latter to enhance his defense, footwork, and speed during the more than two years they were apart.
Now back in action, Ortiz Jr. seems poised for further success, exuding comfort and happiness as he continues his boxing journey. The narrative surrounding his comeback suggests a fighter eager to prove himself on the global stage, with both controversies and support shaping his path to potential greatness.
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