Tag: oscar de la hoya
Ortiz to make 154-pound debut against Lawson on January 6
Undefeated knockout sensation Vergil Ortiz, Jr. (19-0, 19 KOs) of Grand Prairie, Texas will make his grand return to the ring in a new division against Accra, Ghana’s Fredrick “General Okunka” Lawson (30-3, 22 KOs). The super welterweight fight is scheduled for 12-rounds and is set to take place at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on January 6, 2024(DAZN).
With a 100-percent knockout ratio, Vergil Ortiz, Jr. is ready to conquer the super welterweight division. He was last seen in August of 2022 in an entertaining fight in front of a hometown Texan crowd against Michael McKinson that added rounds to his boxing portfolio and a seventh-round KO. The 25-year-old has had an exciting career since his 2016 debut, knocking out contenders like Antonio “Relentless” Orozco, Brad “King” Solomon, and Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker.
“Headlining my first card in Las Vegas after over a year of inactivity is just what I needed,” said Vergil Ortiz Jr. “I am very motivated to put on a great show like I always do, and to show everyone that I’m still here.”
Born in Accra, Ghana, Fredrick Lawson has proven he can rise up as the underdog and is resilient to power through the toughest opponents. He was last seen in April 2023 on the DAZN undercard of Zepeda vs. Arboleda against Estevan Villalobos, who he was able to defeat via unanimous decision. Training out of Chicago, Illinois, he has secured a handful of regional titles throughout his career, including the IBF International Welterweight Title and the WBC International Silver Welterweight Title.
“I treasure this great opportunity that Golden Boy presented me with, and as much as I respect Vergil Ortiz, this Ghanaian Warrior will get his hand raised on January 6,” said Fredrick Lawson. “I look forward to fighting on DAZN again, now the premier outlet for boxing throughout the world. Thank you to Oscar De La Hoya and my manager Jacob Zwennes for making this great fight. Boxing fans will really like this fight because both Ortiz and I are action fighters.”
“Vergil is ready to come back stronger than ever to become a world champion in this sport,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “He’s got the heart and dedication, and is on a mission to be a world title holder. I know he will make a statement in this new division against the powerful Ghanaian warrior Fredrick Lawson. Golden Boy will be starting 2024 with a bang, and we’re proud to have Vergil launch our action-packed boxing schedule for the year.”
Garcia: ‘I’m back and feeling better and stronger than before’
Ryan Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) will make his highly anticipated return to the ring in what will be a collision of knockout power against Parral, Mexico’s Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte (26-1-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday, December 2(DAZN.
The scheduled 12-round affair will take place at 140 pounds.
“Let’s go! I am so excited to announce that I will be fighting Oscar Duarte on December 2,” said Garcia. “I’m back and feeling better and stronger than before. I wanted Duarte for me and for the fans. He’s tough and I’m ready to give people another show at my best weight again. Say whatever you want about Ryan Garcia, but I’m always going to give the fans what they want.”
At only 25-years-old, “King” Ryan Garcia has skyrocketed to the top of superstardom and has proven that he is a supreme pay-per-view attraction. His last fight against Gervonta “Tank” Davis in April 2023 garnered more than 1.2 million pay-per-view buys and generated a $22.8 million gate at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, making it the top 5 best gates in Nevada boxing history. One of the most dynamic and exciting boxers fighting today, his fast-paced style, killer left hook, and long roster of knockouts have impressed boxing fans for years. He has held the WBC interim lightweight title, easily dispatching top contenders such as Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell.
“I feel very happy and full of enthusiasm now that this fight against Ryan Garcia has been finalized. This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Oscar Duarte. “I want to thank Golden Boy for giving me this great opportunity. I am very grateful for the support of my entire team. Everyone can expect the very best version of Oscar Duarte. I am ready to win this fight. I will lift the name of Mexico up on high.”
Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte of Parral, Chihuahua has become a boogeyman contender in the lightweight division with his hunter-killer instincts and defensive skills to match. Unafraid to go in the pocket with any fighter, Duarte is a resilient bull who has been knocking fighter’s heads off one-by-one. His sole loss was in 2019 against Adrian Estrella, which he has avenged with a string of 11 straight knockout victories, the last three including the rugged D’Angelo Keyes, the tough Alex Martin, and veteran Javier Franco. The powerful Duarte became a professional in 2013 and also has incredible Mexican star power behind him with award-winning actor, model and television host Gabriel Soto co-managing his career along with Cancun Boxing.
“This is one of the reasons fight fans love Ryan — instead of taking baby steps back after a hard fought fight, he is returning against a guy with lethal power who doesn’t take a step backwards,” said Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Whoever emerges victorious is immediately in line for a shot against any of the current world champions. Fans aren’t going to want to miss this one.”
De La Hoya: ‘(Jaime) Munguia has always wanted the toughest fights’
In his biggest test in the ring yet, Mexican superstar Jaime Munguia (41-0, 32 KOs) will make a highly anticipated return against Ukrainian world champion contender Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (14-4, 10 KOs) in a 12-round middleweight fight on Saturday, June 10 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
“I am very excited to return to the ring and even more excited to face a fighter like Derevyanchenko,” said Jaime Munguia. “I think it will be a very intense fight from start to finish, but like always, we are training very hard and are very ready to give the fans a very exciting fight. We will see you this June 10 in Southern California!”
“I’ve been in some of the biggest middleweight title fights over the last few years, and as my fans know, I always come to fight,” said Sergiy Derevyanchenko. “I feel like the GGG fight a few years ago was a fight that should have gone my way, so getting back to a title fight and becoming a world champion is my main goal. Mungia is a great fighter, and a win over him gets me back on track to winning a world title. June 10 will be a war, a bloodbath, and I’m willing to give it everything I’ve got to come away victorious. I will be looking to get this win for myself but also for my country, Ukraine.”
“Munguia has always wanted the toughest fights — and this is going to be one of them,” said Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions. “For years, Derevyanchenko has gone life and death with the division’s top middleweights and has always reached the final bell. Should Jaime get past him — and I believe he will — he is immediately in position for a world title shot.”
Munguia was last seen in November 2022, easily cruising to a third-round knockout victory against Gonzalo Coria in front of a hometown crowd in Guadalajara, Mexico. Last July 2022, Derevyanchenko secured a unanimous decision victory against Joshua Conley. Derevyanchenko has faced the likes of Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin, Jermall Charlo, and other top names of the sport – giving fighters trouble and fans a spectacle.
Garcia on fight with Davis: ‘This is the biggest moment in sports right now’
The biggest fight in boxing is finally here! Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia will battle in a 12-round bout at a catchweight of 136 pounds on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas(Showtime PPV).
Davis(28-0, 26 KOs) and Garcia(23-0, 19 KOs) are two of the biggest names in boxing, and a lot is on the line. A win for Garcia or Davis could make one of them the face of the sport.
“This is the biggest moment in sports right now,” Garcia said at the final press conference on Thursday. “It means a lot. The magnitude of this fight is huge. Everything is already on the line. I’m just ready to go as deep as I have to. This moment is everything to me. I’ve envisioned this for years, and it’s finally here.”
Davis added: “He’s gonna feel me for sure. I am what I say I am. I’m that guy. I didn’t get all the way here for no reason. I put the work in, and I got those guys out of there. He’s gonna see it come Saturday night for sure.”
This fight is simple. If the 24-year-old Garcia can stand up to Davis’ power, he has a shot at winning. Davis can be outworked because he has a low work rate.
According to CompuBox, in his last 12 fights, Davis averages just over 34.2 punches thrown per round(fewest among fighters), but his power connect percentage is 47.8%(best among fighters), so when he lands, he lands hard.
“Don’t forget I’m the most accurate puncher out there,” Davis said. “Make sure you’ve been practicing on putting your hands up.”
According to CompuBox, in his last five fights, Garcia averages 41.1 punches thrown per round. Both are below the lightweight average of 57.5 punches per round.
Both land at about the same rate(Davis/12 per round, Garcia/12.8 per round).
Garcia discussed Davis’ punch output.
“This man has never punished anyone in his life,” Garcia said. “He’s always losing in these fights. Get that out of your mind. You’re gonna get punished. You(Davis) got the lowest punch output in boxing.”
Here’s the bottom line. To date, since the 28-year-old Davis has been at the top of the sport, one guy has stood up to his power, and that’s Isaac Cruz, who lost to Davis in a very competitive bout; so again, if Garcia, who has the height and reach advantage(5-10, 70; Davis 5-5, 67 1/2) and the speed advantage, can avoid Tank’s power shot, he can get the win.
Plus, Garcia has a beautiful left hook, and he has power. Not Davis’s power, but Garcia can punch, so let’s not sleep on that. Some say the catchweight(136 pounds) and 10-pound rehydration clause could hurt Garcia. The last time Garcia fought at 135, he was dropped for the first time in career by Luke Campbell, so that’s something to think about.
Something else to think about, in February, Davis pled guilty to leaving the scene of an accident involving bodily injury, failing to notify an owner of property damage, driving on a suspended license, and running a red light. The car accident happened in 2020 in Baltimore; he may do jail time, which could be a distraction.
Prediction:
Davis gets the KO in the 10th round in a fun fight.
Vergil Ortiz withdraws from fight against Stanionis
For the second time in his career, welterweight contender Vergil Ortiz, Jr. has had to pull out of a fight due to rhabdomyolysis.
Ortiz’s fight with WBA “Regular Champion” welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis, scheduled on April 29 in Arlington, Texas, has been postponed, Golden Boy Promotions announced on Wednesday.
According to Golden Boy Promotions, he is expected to recover and return to the ring later this year fully.
Ortiz, 25, was diagnosed in March 2022 with rhabdomyolysis, and his fight with Michael McKinson had to be postponed. Rhabdomyolysis can cause permanent and potentially fatal organ damage.
“Vergil works tirelessly to prepare for his fights, and this is, of course, a huge disappointment for Golden Boy, him and his family,” Golden Boy Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Despite this setback, I truly believe Vergil remains focused and will accomplish his goal of becoming a world champion this year and going on to become the top welterweight in the division.”
According to Golden Boy, more information on the April 29 event will be announced shortly.
Ortiz-Stanionis set for April 29 in Arlington
Undefeated knockout sensation Vergil Ortiz, Jr. (19-0, 19 KOs) of Grand Prairie, Texas has kicked opened the door to challenge for a world title as he is set to fight undefeated World Champion Eimantas Stanionis (14-0, 9 KOs) of Kaunas, Lithuania for Stanionis’s WBA Regular Welterweight Title. The 12-round championship showdown is set to take place on Saturday, April 29 at College Park Center at The University of Texas at Arlington campus. The exclusive fight night will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
“I am beyond happy, knowing that we’re finally here, fighting for a world title,” said Vergil Ortiz, Jr. “The work that we’ve done inside and outside of the ring and the obstacles we’ve overcome has led to this moment. Stanionis is a great fighter with massive power and I know we are going to put on a good show for everyone. I want to thank my promoter, Golden Boy, the WBA, and my manager, Rick Mirigian for getting this across the finish line.”
“Vergil asked for this fight, so here we are,” said Eimantas Stanionis. “I feel like this is going to be a special fight. We have mutual respect as competitors but make no mistake it’s going to be an absolute war.”
“There will be war inside the ring on April 29 as these two dangerous fighters clash to be at the top of the welterweight division,” said Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya. “Ortiz and Stanionis are elite level fighters who will be unafraid to unleash treacherous power and pressure to be crowned World Champion.”
With a 100 percent knockout ratio, Vergil Ortiz, Jr. sits near the top of the stacked welterweight division. His most recent fight in August of 2022 was an entertaining scramble in front of a hometown Texan crowd against Michael McKinson that added rounds to his boxing portfolio and a seventh-round KO. The 24-year-old has had an exciting career since his 2016 debut, knocking out contenders like Antonio “Relentless” Orozco, Brad “King” Solomon, and Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker. Ortiz is currently ranked No. 1 by the WBA and WBO, No.2 by the WBA, and No. 3 by the IBF. This will be the first time he will be fighting for a world championship.
Currently the WBA Regular Welterweight World Champion, Eimantas Stanionis secured his title belt with a split-decision victory against Radzhab Butaev in a toe-to-toe match-up last April 2022. The 28-year-old former Lithuanian Olympian turned pro in 2017 after an impressive amateur career that amassed a number of accolades, including representing his country at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. Since turning pro, the undefeated fighter quickly went from prospect to contender after beating the likes of Justin DeLoach, Janer Gonzalez, and Thomas Dulorme.
Information on tickets and the undercard will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
Golden Boy Promotions sign super welterweight prospect Eric Tudor
Golden Boy Promotions announced Friday the signing of super welterweight prospect Eric Tudor (7-0, 6 KOs) to its coveted promotional banner.
Tudor,21, is a boxer-puncher who’s foundational arsenal makes him a well-rounded pugilist. With over 200 amateur fights, the Romanian-born combatant was part of the Romanian National Team. Raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the 21-year-old also won the Silver Gloves and National PAL Boxing Championships here in the U.S. He has fought a number of times on Golden Boy Fight Night Series cards, impressing fans with his quick, knockout stoppages.
“I’m excited to be a part of a great promotional company like Golden Boy and showcase my talent to the world on such a great platform,” Tudor said. “I want to use this opportunity to show that I’m one of the best prospects in boxing.
“Like many other fighters, my goal is to fight for a world title. Activity was a key factor for me when signing with a promotional company. I want to be in the ring as many times as possible and Golden Boy will make it happen.”
“We have been impressed by the raw talent we see in Eric Tudor,” said Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “His skillset mixed with the Golden Boy tools to make a star, we expect for him to thrive under our promotional banner and one day become champion if he continues his steadfast commitment to be the best. No one can build fighters like we do, and we are excited to welcome Tudor to the Golden Boy Family.”
Zurdo: ‘I expect the very best Dmitry Bivol for this fight’
With a fired up Mexican band setting up a festive tone, media and boxing fans alike rallied together for a special Los Angeles media workout event hosted by undefeated, former WBO Super Middleweight World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30 KOs) at Brickhouse Boxing Club.
Ramirez discussed his upcoming 12-round championship fight against Dmitry Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) for the WBA Light Heavyweight World Title on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The fight will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.
Here is what Ramirez and Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya had to say:
Ramirez:
Photo: Golden Boy Promotions
“Camp has been going very well. I am happy to be here, I am happy to be doing this. Man, this is just exciting.
“I am taking back the belt on November 5! I am very proud to not only represent Mazatlán, Sinaloa, but all of Mexico and all Latinos. I can’t wait to prove to everyone and to myself that I can do this. Bivol is a tough guy. He’s a really good challenge. But, I am going to avenge the Mexican population since he beat Canelo.
“When I heard the fight would be in Abu Dhabi, I thought ‘Wow, that’s cool – I have never been there before.’ After the press conference, I was blown away and I am even more excited to fight there.
“I expect the very best Dmitry Bivol for this fight. I expect this to be an exciting fight. It will be a war.”
De La Hoya:
Photo: Golden Boy Promotions
“This fight was forced on Bivol. Zurdo always wanted to fight for the world title, he wanted to fight the very best. We did our job as a promoter to make this fight happen. We forced this fight to happen through the WBA, through the rankings.
“We established Zurdo as the number one contender. He’s fought back-to-back eliminators, so he deserved this shot. We did a very good job in positioning Zurdo, and now it’s Zurdo’s job to bring the belt back.
“The fact that he [Zurdo] has that killer instinct, and that he wants this so bad, you can see it oozing from out of his eyes. He’s piercing through everything. He wants that big prize against Bivol. Zurdo is calm, cool, and collected – and that’s what you want from a fighter stepping up in competition against someone like Bivol.”
