By: Sean Crose
Eighteen fights. Eighteen wins. Eighteen knockouts.
Virgil Ortiz’ report has spoken for itself up so far in his profession. The undefeated 24 12 months outdated Texan has established himself as a tough hitting powerhouse at welterweight. He’ll be dealing with one other undefeated fighter this Saturday night time, when he squares off towards Britain’s 22-0 Mike McKinson in a scheduled 12 rounder at Dickies’ Enviornment in Fort Price. Not solely is Ortiz preventing in entrance of his personal Texans, he’s dealing with a person he’s usually anticipated to simply dominate. Such issues can show to be a tall order, however Ortiz has each purpose on the planet to be assured.
The fighter’s report is notable in additional methods than one, in spite of everything. Not solely has Ortiz stopped all his opponents throughout the distance, he’s been working his manner by way of fighters of notice as of late. Mauricio Herrera, Maurice Hooker, Brad Solomon, Egidijus Kavaliauskas – these might not be the names of star points of interest, however they’re the names of fighters of notice nonetheless. And Ortiz has primarily wiped all of them out. Persons are nicely inside their rights to anticipate Ortiz to win on Saturday. McKinson, in fact, has plans of his personal in thoughts.
Whereas he presently could not possess the star energy – or rising star energy – of Ortliz, the 28 12 months outdated has been patiently ready for an opportunity to get at Ortiz for some time. A March battle between the 2 was postponed and now the Englishman is little question keen to have interaction in his second professional battle in America. McKinon’s final ring battle was a choice win over Alex Martin in Los Angeles again in March. Martin wasn’t Ortiz, however no less than McKinon bought to earn himself a win on US soil. What’s attention-grabbing about this weekend’s bout is McKinon is as a lot a boxer as Ortiz is a slugger…for McKinon has solely scored 2 knockouts in all of his 22 bouts.
The 27-2-3 Maurice Hooker shall be on Saturday’s card as nicely. He’ll be squaring off towards the 15-1-1 Blair Cobbs in a scheduled 10 rounder at welterweight. The 21-1 WBA and WBC girls’s flyweight champion, Marlen Esparza, will even be making a hoop look. Her opponent shall be 19-1-1 Eva Guzman. Their bout is scheduled for 10 two minute rounds. This weekend’s Ortiz-McKinon card will begin airing at 9PM jap time Saturday on the DAZN streaming service.
