Can Vergil Ortiz Jr. Dominate Frederick Lawson at 154?
Without question, all eyes will be on super welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. (19-0, 19 KO’s) when he next headlines on January 6. In that duel, Ortiz will test his might against Frederick “General Okunka” Lawson (30-3, 22 KO’s). The obvious talking point when discussing Ortiz Jr. is his two canceled bouts due to exacerbations with his case of rhabdomyolysis. On each occasion, there was a serious concern for the Texan’s overall health.
Outside of this soon-to-be chronic ailment, Ortiz will also be stepping up in weight when he debuts at 154 pounds. Apparently, his team and Golden Boy Promotion handlers felt all that was needed to remedy the situation was to move up in weight. Time will tell if that is sufficient enough to button up the problem. Let’s hope so. We will also have to see if Ortiz Jr.’s power maintains itself after the jump.
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In fact, not only will Team Ortiz be looking to see how his power holds up, there will have to be some measure of pressure to keep his perfect knockout streak alive. Lastly, as if the Texan didn’t have enough to contend with, his prizefight will only be his second match in roughly two and a half years. Before Lawson, Ortiz battled Michael McKinson for nine rounds on August 6, 2022.
Prior to McKinson, Ortiz fought Egidijus Kavaliauskas on August 14, 2021. So, all in all, when Ortiz slides through the ropes, he will have the apprehension of his illness, ring rust, a weight jump, thoughts of his power and the pressures of shining as a major name in his promotional company to manage. Naturally, this is a lot!
Even though Lawson is far from a world beater, it would behoove Ortiz to excel in this contest. If he does, then he will then make a home in a new division lush with great opposition. If Ortiz stumbles, looks bad or is defeated, then his career will take an even bigger hit than his health and inactivity have already dealt out. So, let’s tune in and see what Vergil Ortiz Jr. has to say about the matter because either way, 3Kings Boxing will be here to report the facts and fallout.
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