Author: Sean Close
Vergil Ortiz, with a record of 19-0, made his return to the ring after being away for nearly a year and a half. He faced Fredrick Lawson, who had a record of 30-3, in a junior middleweight contest scheduled for 12 rounds. The match was the main event of the Golden Boy card and was broadcast live on the streaming service DAZN.
The majority of the first round was tense, with both fighters exchanging strong punches. Towards the end of the round, Ortiz was able to inflict damage on Lawson. With Lawson in a difficult position, it seemed like Ortiz was aiming to end the fight early – perhaps even earlier than he had anticipated.
Referee Tony Weeks suddenly stopped the fight as Lawson seemed unable to continue. Although Lawson was absorbing punishment at the ropes, he was surprised by the decision to stop the fight. Weeks, a well-respected veteran referee, stated that he saw Lawson’s eyes roll back while Ortiz was delivering powerful shots.
“I wish I had been able to continue,” Ortiz said in the post-fight interview. “I needed a round, but…”
When asked about his next opponent, Ortiz expressed interest in facing an intriguing opponent. “Tim Tzu,” he said, “with all due respect, I want to fight you. I think you’re a great fighter, so let’s make it happen.”
“Ortiz might even go to Australia to fight Tim Tzu,” promoter Oscar De La Hoya mentioned.
“Let’s give it a try,” Ortiz added.
Interestingly, the co-main event of Saturday’s card also witnessed a first-round stoppage as veteran Ismael Barroso surprised many by knocking down O’Hara Davis twice before the fight was stopped.
