Vergil Ortiz Jr. has but to benefit from the feeling of tarnishing one other fighter’s unblemished file.
Michael McKinson believes that to be a big edge in his favor heading into this weekend’s conflict of unbeaten welterweights.
England’s McKinson (22-0, 2KOs) represents a special search for Ortiz (18-0, 18KOs), a rising contender from the better Dallas space who fights at residence for the third straight time. The 2 collide this Saturday on DAZN from Dickies Enviornment in Fort Value, with McKinson believing he has a leg up on anybody that Ortiz has confronted thus far.
“He’s by no means confronted anybody who hasn’t tasted defeat,” McKinson advised BoxingScene.com and different reporters throughout a current media convention name. “I’ve by no means tasted defeat. I don’t know what it’s prefer to lose.
“I’m a really proud Englishman. I’m coming to the opposite aspect of the world. I’m coming to the lion’s den… to tame the lion. He’s proved that he’s an ideal younger fighter. However I’ve a method that may expose issues in most fighters. I do know I’ve a tough struggle in entrance of me however I’m very assured of pulling it off.”
McKinson has been right here earlier than. The 28-year-old southpaw from Portsmouth, England has confronted and defeated 4 unbeaten opponents, together with three straight over a 16-month span to propel his means into rivalry. He enters this weekend as a +900 underdog in keeping with FanDuel Sportsbook, however brimming with confidence based mostly on his previous historical past of ruining the proper file of a number of different fighters.
“Undefeated fighters are hungry. They’re hungry and their proud,” famous McKinson. “Not solely have I taken undefeated data earlier than, I’ve taken them from fighters of their yard. I’ve gone into hostility to do it. I do know that is on a much bigger scale, coming to Texas and preventing Vergil in his yard. I’m constructed for this. I’m constructed totally different. If individuals have a look at my rise, at my file, I’ve taken gambles. I’ve defied the percentages and are available out victorious. Now I get to do it in opposition to a younger fighter that’s tipped for superstardom.”
Jake Donovan is a senior author for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
