Two leading candidates emerge to face Vergil Ortiz Jr in return fight

· Yahoo Sports

Vergil Ortiz Jr returned to action in 2024 after suffering from various health issues, including a recurrence of rhabdomyolysis and multiple bouts of COVID-19. He returned like a hurricane, demolishing Fredrick Lawson and Thomas Dulorme before recording three impressive victories, but his career hit an impasse after a dispute with his promoter, Golden Boy. That dispute appears to now be in the rearview mirror, with reports surfacing that two leading candidates have emerged to face Ortiz in his comeback fight.

Vergil Ortiz Jr Golden Boy dispute

Before the dispute with Golden Boy, Ortiz recorded five straight wins, including three impressive victories over Serhii Bohachuk, Israil Madrimov, and Erikson Lubin. Talks of Ortiz Jr vs Jaron Ennis were rampant, but then disaster struck, with Ortiz suing his promotional company, citing breach of contract and interference with economic advantage. In March, Golden Boy Promotions’ motion for arbitration was granted by a judge, allowing the promotional company to compel arbitration in their legal battle against the American fighter. This also prevented Ortiz from negotiating for future fights. Once that dispute was rectified, Ortiz Jr and Golden Boy could look forward to making the biggest fights possible.

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Confirming a settlement had been reached, all involved parties gave their feedback on a resolution being reached: 

“Our relationship with Vergil has spanned more than a decade, and we are proud to have played a role in his development into one of the sport’s premier fighters,” said Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, in the press release. “We look forward to continuing our partnership and working together with Vergil Jr., Rick Mirigian [Ortiz’s manager], and the rest of Team Ortiz to deliver the biggest fights possible for boxing fans.”

“I’m very grateful that Golden Boy and I were able to come to an understanding and resolve everything,” said Ortiz in the same press release. “I’m excited to move forward and make the biggest fights happen, including the [Jaron] Ennis fight. My only focus is on delivering unforgettable fights for the fans, and I know my team and I will accomplish that together.”

Two leading candidates emerge to face Vergil Ortiz Jr

A move to middleweight has been rumoured, but the two leading candidates to emerge have both primarily fought at lower weights: Jermell Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs), the former undisputed super welterweight champion, and Keith Thurman (31-2, 23 KOs), the former unified welterweight world champion.

Charlo hasn’t fought since losing to Canelo Alvarez in his bid for undisputed super middleweight glory. It remains to be seen if Charlo will ever fight again, having only boxed three times since his 2020 victory against Jeison Rosario.

Whatever comes next for Ortiz Jr, a fully fit and focused Ortiz is a huge shot in the arm for the sport. Whether he decides to stay at 154 or move to 160, Vergil Ortiz Jr is a huge problem for anyone in either weight.

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