Vergil Ortiz Jr., the undefeated knockout wizard from Grand Prairie, Texas, sashayed into the ring, making his grand entrance in the super welterweight wonderland. Like a hurricane, he unleashed a whirlwind of might, sending Fredrick Lawson of Accra, Ghana tumbling with a first-round TKO, all wrapped up in a speedy 2:33. Referee Tony Weeks stepped in, crowning Ortiz Jr. the division’s new terror, his knockout streak shining brighter than ever.
Ortiz Jr. boomed, “I’m ready for anyone. It felt like I’m back to my usual tricks. This is my destiny; this is what I was born to do, and I’m eager to keep at it. There’s a bunch of fighters I’m itching to face, but Tim Tszyu, much respect, you’re next on my list. He’s a stellar fighter and it would be a thrill to square up against him.”
Meanwhile, in the co-main event, Venezuela’s own Ismael Barroso, known as El Tigre, flexed his undiminished skills with a lightning-quick first-round TKO against the U.K.’s Ohara “Two Tanks” Davies, shutting it down in just 1:33. Barroso clinched the WBA Super Lightweight Interim World Championship, a crown forged in collaboration with TGB Promotions.
Barroso quipped, “When I started boxing, they said I was packed with power, and with God by my side, that power is real. When that first punch landed, I knew he was in trouble. Everyone’s been shouting for a fight with Romero, and I’m just here to say, ‘I’m not going anywhere!’”
Stealing the limelight, newly signed Golden Boy, Arnold Barbosa Jr. from El Monte, demonstrated his prowess in an eight-round TKO of Xolisani Ndongeni from Eastern Cape, South Africa. Slated for 10 rounds, Ndongeni’s corner waved the white flag at the eighth’s end. Kicking off the DAZN broadcast, Raul “El Cugar” Curiel, the undefeated NABF Welterweight champ, served up a TKO against Elias Diaz of National City, California at 1:06 in the eighth round, in a duel meant for 10.
In the preliminary card, Dallas, Texas’ Emiliano Gandara made his pro debut, squaring off against Timvonte Carson from Columbia, South Carolina in a super welterweight skirmish set for four rounds. Gandara quickly overpowered Carson at 2:11 in the first round, igniting his professional career with a bang.
