Vergil Ortiz vs Eimantas Stanionis Is Back On The Schedule
Word on the street is there is a rescheduled date for the welterweight clash between the current WBA regular champion Eimantas Stanionis (14-0, 9 KOs) and mandatory challenger Vergil Ortiz Jr (19-0, 19 KOs). According to ESPN, the two will now fight on April 29 in Ortiz’s home state of Texas, live on DAZN.
They originally were set to face each other on March 18. Unfortunately, Stanionis had to withdraw after undergoing an emergency appendectomy.
Stanionis won the title in April 2022 with a split-decision win over amateur rival Razdhab Butaev. Next is Ortiz, a fighter considered to be a potential rising star by many fight enthusiasts. The mandatory challenger’s previous bout was a ninth-round stoppage of Michael McKinson in August 2022.
HOW DO THEY MATCH UP?
Stanionis and Ortiz are fundamentally sound and like to apply pressure. With all his wins coming by stoppage, Ortiz is considered the bigger puncher. The Lithuanian is not as big of a hitter, but he has an excellent jab, an outstanding gas tank, underrated hand speed, and is a strong welterweight.
Ortiz will be the hardest hitter that Stanionis has faced. How will the latter deal with the power? How does Ortiz deal with a fighter that could be physically stronger? What does the mandatory challenger do if he has to dig deep and go into the championship rounds? If styles make fights, then Ortiz vs Stanionis has the makings of an entertaining battle.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
