Ortiz: Vargas Fight Won't Be Any Different Than What I Expected In March

Vergil Ortiz Jr. knows the differences he’s made in the four months since he was originally due to face Samuel Vargas.

Whatever adjustments he anticipates his opponent to have made are already factored into the fight night strategy. 

“I don’t think it will be any different than what I expected in March—which is to not expect him to fight the same as he always does,” Ortiz (15-0, 15KOs) told BoxingScene.com of their rescheduled affair. “I know that I don’t always fight the same against every fighter. I go with the flow and adjust where I have to.”

Their bout takes place Friday evening, live on DAZN from a crowdless Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California (8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT). The event was repurposed from original plans to have taken place March 28 at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

The initial wave of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic caused the show’s cancellation at the time, ultimately relocating to Indio where it can take place under a controlled environment. Per COVID-19 protocol as implemented by the California State Athletic Commission, combat sports in state must take place in an enclosed “Bubble” environment without fans in attendance.

A lack of an onsite audience will be a new look for Ortiz, who now also heads into Friday’s main event without the services of head trainer Robert Garcia in his corner. The renowned trainer tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival at Fantasy Springs, thus denying his access into The Bubble. A second test came up negative, although Garcia elected to stay outside of the enclosed space for the safety of all participants.

Muscle memory should get Ortiz through the night, along with in-corner advice from his father Vergil Sr. who will assume the head trainer role in Garcia’s absence. As for a reaction to his every punch—which to date has produced 15 knockouts in as many fights—well, that part will be the only real difference.

“I’ve watched other fights and envisioned how it will play out for my fight,” Ortiz notes of closed-doors boxing shows that have aired since the pandemic. “I’ve come the conclusion that it’s the same as sparring.

“It’s more raw than when fans are in attendance. You can hear the punches. You can hear the grunts when you hit them. But as far as the fight itself, it will be the same thing for me.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox