Vergil Ortiz: I Would Grade This Year As Definitely A+
Dec 4, 2019 • 10:39 AM ET
Even in stepping up significantly in class, Vergil Ortiz has remained a knockout every time out.
The unbeaten puncher from Dallas, Texas prepares for his fourth fight of a productive 2019 campaign, one where he has emerged as a leading candidate for Prospect of the Year. Ahead of such a distinction comes another stiff challenge, as he faces Brad ‘King’ Solomon in a scheduled 12-round welterweight bout on Dec, 13 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. The DAZN-streamed headliner comes four months after a career-best—and deepest—win when he stopped former title challenger Antonio Orozco in six rounds a homecoming headliner this past August in Grand Prairie, Texas.
“I would grade this year as definitely A+. I’ve fought some quality opponents,” Ortiz Jr. (14-0, 14KOs) stated during an open workout Tuesday afternoon in Riverside, California. “I took them out when some people didn’t believe I would—including me. I’ve really shown that I really belong with the top dogs.”
Ortiz became the first to stop the normally granite-chinned Orozco, who went 12 grueling rounds with unbeaten 140-pound titlist Jose Ramirez last September. The statement-making performance was the second in a row for the 21-year young Texan, who three months prior became the first to stop veteran contender Mauricio Herrera, blasting out the California native in three rounds this past May on the undercard of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s middleweight title unification win over Daniel Jacobs in Las Vegas, Nevada.
On deck is a third straight opponent who has never before been stopped. Louisiana’s Solomon (28-1, 9KOs) has won two straight following a hard-fought 12-round loss to Konstantin Ponomarev in their April 2016 battle of unbeaten rising contenders and enters this bout having never been dropped through 20 pro fights.
Needless to say, another stoppage win against a crafty boxer such as Solomon will go a long way to what has already been a stellar résumé-building campaign.
“I feel like people are starting to recognize me more,” notes Ortiz Jr.. “This was my breakout year and next year I’m going to break out even more.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
