Ortiz Scores Premature Stoppage; Barroso & Barboza Score KO’s
Finally returning to the ring since 2022, junior middleweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. (20-0, 20KO) knockout streak remains perfect after stopping Fredrick Lawson (30-4, 22KO).
Ortiz came out fighting behind the jab landing a hard shot that hurt Lawson. With his opponent up against ropes, the Texan poured on the body attack but didn’t land anything solid. Then all of a sudden referee Tony Weeks prematurely stopped the fight, and the crowd immediately started booing.
Lawson was hurt, Yes. However, he was never in any serious trouble that justified stopping the fight. He deserved the right to be given a chance to recover and see if he could continue.
Nonetheless, Ortiz can finally put his health issues in the past and look ahead to promising fights in a new division, In the post-fight interview, he called for a fight with WBO champion Tim Tszyu.
ISMAEL BARROSO SCORES AN IMPRESSIVE STOPPAGE OVER OHARA DAVIES
Looking to get a third shot at a title, Ismael Barroso (25-4-2, 23KO) scored an early sensational stoppage over Ohara Davies (25-3, 18KO) in the first round!
The ring introduction lasted longer than the actual fight. Barroso started fighting off the back foot, but out of nowhere, he landed a punishing left hook that put Davies on the canvas.
Upon the Brit’s recovery, the Mexican went into beast mode and jumped on Davies, landing more powerful shots. After scoring another knockdown, Barroso was granted the victory when the referee finally had seen enough.
Many in the boxing community feel Barroso was robbed of a victory against WBA champion Rolando Romero in May 2023. With this victory, he will get another shot at the title and a chance to right a wrong.
ARNOLD BARBOZA EASILY STOPS XOLISANI NDONGENI
In his Golden Boy debut, junior welterweight Arnold Barboza (29-0, 12KO) stopped tough veteran Xolisani Ndongeni (31-4, 18KO).
From the opening bell, Barboza made it clear that he was the superior fighter. His use of the jab, counters, and footwork kept Ndongeni off balance. As the fight continued, he turned up the heat a little and started finding a home for the right hand.
Despite suffering a small abrasion on the left eye, Barboza remained laser-focused throughout the fight. He started mixing up the attack by going from body to head, and found a home for the uppercut.
Realizing his opponent was beginning to wilt, the Californian went on a body attack that had Ndongeni hurt several times. The South African was not going to give up and fought hard, but it was clear he was getting outgunned in this fight.
After an eighth round that saw Barboza unload a barrage of brutal shots, Ndongeni’s trainer stopped the fight in the corner.
During the post-fight interview, he called out Ryan Garcia, former unified champion Jose Ramirez, and WBO champion Teofimo Lopez.
