Vergil Ortiz Jr. remained confident that—at some point this year—he could pick up where he and his team left off and move forward with his career.

The 2019 Prospect of the Year and rising welterweight enjoyed his have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too moment, when the call came to headline a July 24 show on DAZN. Ortiz (15-0, 15KOs) will face Canada’s Samuel Vargas (31-5-2, 14KOs) in the main event live from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, coming nearly four months as their previously scheduled March 28 clash that was postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Managing to secure the same opponent was the blessing he sought in returning to the ring.

“Technically, it’s not a step backwards but we’re in the same spot as we were at the end of last year which is the best we can ask for,” Ortiz told BoxingScene.com. “It’s nobody’s fault. This whole pandemic thing just has everyone taking what we can get.

“I was supposed to fight Vargas in March. Fighting Vargas now will definitely put my name out there a little more by beating a credible opponent and open up more doors toward fighting for a world title.”

Ortiz was universally hailed as the sport’s top prospect following his four-win campaign in 2019. All came by knockout—as has every bout in his career to date—with none lasting past six rounds. His 6th round stoppage of Antonio Orozco marked his deepest fight to date, delivering a statement-making performance against the former title challenger in a hometown showcase in Grand Prairie, Texas.

In Vargas comes a durable veteran and serviceable gatekeeper in the talent-rich welterweight division. The 31-year old Colombian export has shared the ring with current welterweight champion and pound-for-pound entrant Errol Spence along with former titlists Danny Garcia, Luis Collazo and Amir Khan. If nothing else, Friday’s bout will serve as a good measuring stick for Ortiz, though the expectation is a win followed by an upgrade for every fight moving forward.

“I only want step-up opponents,” Ortiz insists. “I want opponents that will help me learn for when it’s time to step up to a world title. I only want to learn.

“I don’t want any easy fights. I go through a lot in training camp and put my body through a lot of stress. We want to make it work against opposition that will get me to a world title.”

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