Golden Boy Confirms Vergil Ortiz August Return

One of the up and coming stars of the welterweight division, who was derailed by a rare condition early this year, is now confirmed to be back. This after Golden Boy Promotions announced Thursday afternoon that Vergil Oritz will return to headline for them in August in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Ortiz has a perfect record of not only being unbeaten, but also having kayoed all 18 of his opponents, so far.

🔥JUST ANNOUNCED🔥 Knock out sensation, Vergil Ortiz Jr. to face undefeated contender Michael McKinson on August 6th in Fort Worth, Texas. Scheduled for 12, the fight will be streamed live on DAZN. #OrtizMcKinson pic.twitter.com/0AG5sO8PFj

— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) June 16, 2022

From the Golden Boy release,

“Knockout sensation and the pride of Grand Prairie, Texas, Vergil Ortiz Jr. (18-0, 18 KOs), will make his grand return to the ring on Saturday, August 6, taking on top 10 ranked, undefeated welterweight contender Michael “The Problem” McKinson (22-0, 2 KOs) of Portsmouth, Great Britain. The 12-round welterweight fight will take place at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, and will stream live worldwide, exclusively on DAZN.

“I am very happy to be stepping back into the ring again,” said Vergil Ortiz, Jr. “I’m ready to show the world once again why I’m ready for a world title.”

“I’m getting what I deserve,” said Michael McKinson. “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.”

“Vergil Ortiz, Jr. is the most exciting welterweight in the world,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO. “We are happy that he is back, healthy, and feels 100%. 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.”

“I am delighted that this fight has come back around for Mikey,” said Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Boxing. “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.”

Our Dan Rafael broke the story in early May of Ortiz’s August 6th return.

Ortiz who’s from the Dallas suburb of Grand Prairie, Texas, has not fought since last August, when he knocked out former world title challenger “Mean Machine” Egidijus Kavaliauskas in the eighth round in Frisco, Texas.

Ortiz was due to face McKinson on March 19 in Los Angeles, but withdrew from the bout due to illness. Five days before the fight Ortiz was hospitalized in Los Angeles and diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, which occurs when damaged muscle tissue releases proteins and electrolytes into the blood. It can damage the heart and kidneys and in the most severe cases cause death.

McKinson is an undefeated fighter without much of a punch, but is ready to face Ortiz in his home area.