Michael McKinson vs Vergil Ortiz Jr. is back on
Around five months on from it's original date, Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs Michael McKinson is now set for Saturday, August 6, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
The fight card will air live and exclusively worldwide on DAZN.
Ortiz and McKinson were initially scheduled to face off in March, but during fight week Ortiz had to bow out after being diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, just days before the contest.
Portsmouth's McKinson (22-0, 2KOs) still managed to fight on the show and defeated Chicago's Alex Martin via unanimous decision to move up to 22-0.
The Brit is excited to get the opportunity that appeared to slip through his fingers, “I’m getting what I deserve,” the 28-year-old southpaw said. “I was prepared to fight Ortiz, Jr. before; now, I have been given the opportunity again to prove I am the best in this division.”
“I am delighted that this fight has come back around for Mikey,” Eddie Hearn, McKinson's promoter said. “He suffered disappointment in March when Vergil was forced out of the fight, but thanks to a lot of hard work all round, he was able to fight in LA and gathered valuable experience by making his US debut and all that comes with it – so there will be no surprises for him in Fort Worth. Vergil is an exceptional fighter, one of the best rising stars in the sport, but we believe Mikey has the style to cause him a lot of problems, and this could be his break-out night.”
Ortiz was last seen in the ring in an eighth-round TKO victory against former welterweight title challenger Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas in August 2021, which saw the 24-year-old's will tested for the first time. He's healthy and ready to show the boxing world he's ready to compete for his first world title.
“I am very happy to be stepping back into the ring again,” Ortiz said. “I’m ready to show the world once again why I’m ready for a world title.”
“Vergil Ortiz, Jr. is the most exciting welterweight in the world,” Oscar De La Hoya, Ortiz's promoter. “We are happy that he is back, healthy, and feels 100 percent. Fighting in his home state, I can’t think of a better way for him to make his comeback and put on another great performance for his fans. He is one step away from challenging any world champion, and he will prove it on August 6.”
