By Dan Ambrose: The WBA has ordered the secondary welterweight champion Eimantis Stanionis to defend against #1 contender Vergil Ortiz Jr. If the fight were to happen, it would be interesting given how protected Ortiz has seemingly been done by his promoters, it’s not likely to happen.
Ortiz is a good fighter, but he’s been kept under lock & key seemingly by his promoters for the last six years, and it’s not likely they’re going to let him fight a quality guy like Stanionis.
Stanionis (14-0, 9 KOs) and the Golden Boy promoted Ortiz (19-0, 19 KOs) have 30 days to iron out a deal before a purse bid is called. The split will be 75/25 in Stanionis’ favor.
Ortiz is also ranked #1 WBO, #2 WBC, and #3 IBF. Given that he would have a decent chance of defeating the regular WBA 147lb champion Stanionis, Ortiz might take the fight.
Assuming Stanionis vs. Ortiz Jr fight happens, the winner will battle WBA ‘Super World’ 147-lb champion Errol Spence Jr next.
Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) is supposed to be defending against his WBC mandatory Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman next after the match was ordered by the World Boxing Council at their recent conversion, but he hasn’t uttered a peep about taking this fight.
With Vergil having so many paths to a world title shot, it’s doubtful he’ll bother going the Stanionis route. What Ortiz will likely do is wait for a straight shot against IBF/WBA/WBC champion Spence without doing the hard work of going through Stanionis.
Also, Spence could move up to 154 soon, resulting in the 147-lb belts being fragmented. Ortiz would then go after one of the belts. You have to remember that Ortiz is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, and we haven’t seen them taking any chances whatsoever with their fighters Jaime Munguia and Ryan Garcia.
It’s only now that Ryan is getting an important fight against Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, and the only reason for that is because it’s a massive money fight.
The only money fight for Vergil Ortz Jr is against Spence, and he might not get that match. But there’s very little chance Vergil will be put in a position by Golden Boy where he’d need to beat a solid fighter like Stanionis, particularly with a 75/25 cut in favor of the secondary WBA champion.
Vergil has recent wins over Michael McKinson, Egidijus Kavaliauskas and Maurice Hooker. He didn’t look particularly impressive in any of those fights.
The WBA on Friday ordered a fight between its secondary welterweight titleholder, Eimantas Stanionis, and Vergil Ortiz, sources tell ESPN. If no deal is struck in 30 days, a purse bid will be ordered with Stanionis on a 75% split. Fantastic fight if it happens.
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) November 18, 2022