Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Fredrick Lawson: Controversial Stoppage Leaves One Fighter Furious

On Saturday, January 6, Vergil Ortiz Jr. (20-0, 20 KOs) defeated Ghana’s Fredrick “General Okunka” Lawson (30-4, 22 KOs) at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The event was streamed live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. Defeats Fredrick Lawson

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Ortiz Records First Round Stoppage Win Against Lawson

Ortiz expressed his confidence in the build-up to the fight – which was refreshing after his previous cancelled fight against Eimantas Stanionis.

Ortiz began the opening round by throwing his jab and letting Lawson feel his power with overhand rights. He seemed to hurt the Ghananian-born fighter with a stiff jab before backing him in the corner and unloading some nice combinations. Referee Tony Weeks had seen enough and jumped in to wave the fight off in the first round, much to the confusion of Lawson and many at ringside and watching at home.

Post-Fight Quotes

In the post-fight interview, it was explained to Ortiz Jr. that the crowd were not booing him and was upset at the premature stoppage. 

Ortiz said on the fight: “I was hurting him.” He continued: “You know what I’m about. I love to fight.“

He added, looking ahead to the future: “I’m ready for anyone out there.” 

After saying he wanted the Tim Tszyu fight, Oscar De La Hoya said: “Ortiz will go to Australia to fight Tim Tszyu.“

Ortiz Jr vs. Lawson Undercard Results

Ismael Barroso (25-4-2, 23 KOs) demolished Ohara Davies (25-3, 18 KOs) in the first round for the interim WBA super lightweight title. The British fighter decided to be the aggressor against the big punching Venezuelan, and walked onto some big shots, with the referee waving the contest off after the second knockdown.

Arnold Barboza Jr (29-0, 11 KOs) dominated Xolisani Ndongeni (31-4, 18 KOs), with the referee waving the fight off before the ninth round began.

Raul Curiel (14-0, 12 KOs) impressed as he stopped Elias Diaz (12-2, 7 KOs) in the eighth round to retain his NABF welterweight title.