By Aragon Garcia: Exciting knockout artist Vergil Ortiz Jr. (13-0, 13 KOs) says he’s decided to stay at 147 permanently after he battles Antonio Orozco (28-1, 17 KOs) this Saturday night on DAZN. Ortiz, 21, and Orozco will be fighting for the vacant WBA Gold welterweight title at the Verizon Theatre, in Grand Prairie, Texas.
(Photo Credit: Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos/Golden Boy)
Ortiz says he doesn’t want to wait around fighting B and C-level fighters while he waits for the dust to clear from the WBSS tourney. He states that he’ll have outgrown the 140 pound division by the time WBA/WBO champion Jose Ramirez fights the Regis Prograis vs. Josh Taylor winner. Prograis-Taylor will meet up in World Boxing Super Series final.
Fans will be disappointed at Vergil Ortiz moving up to 147
It’ll be disappointing to a lot of boxing fans that Ortiz is moving up without winning a belt at 140 first. The fans wanted to see Ortiz capture at least one title at light welterweight before making the move to 147. Unfortunately, it’ll take too long for Ortiz to get a crack at one of the times. Moreover, he’s already made up his mind that he won’t fight his friend Jose Ramirez.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. reveals he’s staying at 147
“I’m staying at 147. I’m a welterweight now,” said Ortiz Jr. to Fighthub. “I would never fight Jose [Ramirez]. Those other belts are spoken for right now. As soon as they’re freed up with the World Series, I’m pretty sure they’re going to meet up with Jose. By the time that happens, I won’t be able to make 140 no more.
So I’m going to move up. Oh yeah,” said Ortiz when asked if he wants to fight Errol Spence, Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman. “I’m not here to fight these B and C-class fighters. I want to be the top guy. It’s only one weight class up,” said Ortiz.
It makes perfect sense for the 5’10” Ortiz to stay at 147, because that’s where the big money fights are at. There are talented guys at 140 for Ortiz to fight, but the division is lacking in household names. The best fighters at 140 are these guys:
- Jose Ramirez Jr.
- Josh Taylor
- Maurice Hooker
- Chris Algieri
- Arnold Barbosa, Jr
- Vergil Ortiz Jr.
- Adrien Broner
- Mikey Garcia
- Ivan Baranchyk
- Kiryl Relikh
- Subriel Matias
Mikey Garcia and Broner are the only popular fighters in the 140 pound division, and they’re only interested in fighting welterweights. Those guys aren’t going to fight a young guy like Ortiz Jr. and risk getting knocked out by him. For that reason, it’s a smart move for Ortiz to move to 147 permanently.
Vergil Ortiz needs to take his time at 147
Golden Boy Promotions needs to be careful in quickly they move Ortiz Jr. now that he’s decided to stay at 147. It wouldn’t be a good idea for Ortiz to be thrown into the ring with the likes of Errol Spence Jr., Danny Garcia or Keith Thurman. The money would be good for Ortiz, but he find out quickly the difference between the two divisions.
These are good options for Ortiz:
- Amir Khan
- Josh Kelly
- Jeff Horn
- Jamal James
- Conor Benn
- David Avanesyan
- Josesito Lopez
- Kerman Lejarraga
- Sergey Lipinets
- Andre Berto