While Vergil Ortiz Jnr verbally spars with a divisional rival, his promoter remains hard at work to finalize his next actual fight.
Golden Boy Promotions chairman Oscar De La Hoya confirmed to BoxingScene that the plan is for Ortiz, 23-0 (21 KOs) to return to the ring in October. The WBC interim 154lbs titlist is at the tail end of recovery from surgery for a hand injury suffered in his February 22 unanimous decision win over former WBA belt-holder Israil Madrimov, 10-2-1 (7 KOs) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“Vergil is coming off the injury, he’s healing up real nice,” De La Hoya told BoxingScene. “We’re working on him hopefully coming back in October. It will be the first or second week of October.
“If you take a look at the guys in his weight class, he’s the perfect candidate to become the next big star in the sport. Vergil Ortiz is in a great division.”
Ortiz was able to make up for lost time with four fights in a span of less than 14 months after having fought just once from August 2021 through the end of 2023. The win over Madrimov came six months after Ortiz’s thrilling 12-round, majority decision win over Serhii Bohachuk in their Fight of the Year contender last August 10 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
However, the past several months have been spent on the mend, while forced to defend himself – through social media – amidst claims of ducking from other divisional rivals.
Ortiz shut down claims that he avoided a fight with former unified welterweight champ Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. The matchup was discussed late last year, but fell apart over a discrepancy at what weight the fight would take place. The matter was allegedly revisited after Ortiz’s win over Madrimov, though at a time when the unbeaten Texan was on the injured list.
“Just so y’all know, apparently healing from hand surgery is now a form of ducking,” Ortiz joked on X in response to the ridiculous claim. “Anything to fit the narrative.”
Most recently, Ortiz has engaged in a back-and-forth online exchange with recently crowned WBO 154lbs titlist Xander Zayas. Ortiz offered a backhanded compliment of sorts, congratulating Zayas for his win but shutting down talks of ducking him to instead face Madrimov.
“First off, congratulations on your win and becoming world champ,” Ortiz told Zayas on Friday. “You were eventually going to do it so I’m not surprised. But let’s keep everything 100, you got a gift (the vacant title fight)! My last 2 opponents were top 10 in this division. The opponent you just fought was 33-4 and barely [scratched] the top 15 mark.”
Naturally, the comments didn’t sit well with Zayas, barely a week removed from his WBO-title winning unanimous decision over Jorge Garcia, 33-5 (26 KOs) in New York City.
“Keep all those excuses to yourself,” Zayas replied. “[T]alk to me when you become a world champion.”
Ortiz was prepared for the clapback.
“Talk to me when you fight a top 10 opponent,” Ortiz fired back.
Ideally, their differences would be settled in the ring rather than on social media.
There will come a day when their paths will cross, along with the best of the rest in the 154lbs division. At least, that’s the plan according to his handlers who aim to tap into Ortiz’s star potential, given his fighting style and the talent surrounding him at the weight.
“I don’t say this just because he’s our fighter – there is a buzz that he is arguably the best 154-pound fighter out there,” insists De La Hoya. “It’s a packed division and he’s right there with the best. There’s no stopping him.
“This little setback he had with his hand will make him realize the position he’s in and what he has in front of him. I’m very bullish on his future.”
