Michael McKinson knows he is the underdog as he steps up in level next weekend.
The 28-year-old is the latest custodian of the WBO Global title.
McKinson, a former WBO European and WBC International Silver champion at the weight, meets hot prospect Vergil Ortiz Jr. on August 6.
The fight takes place at the Dckies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of a Golden Boy Promotions show which will also feature Alex Martin’s clash with Henry ‘Hank’ Lundy.
Portsmouth puncher McKinson shone last time out, boxing outside of Great Britain for just the second time. He outpointed the aforementioned Martin over 10 rounds on March 19 with the three scoring judges handing in 97-93, 98-92 and 99-91 scorecards.
McKinson vs. Ortiz Jr. was initially supposed to take on that date, but the undefeated fighter (18-0, 18 KOs) had to bow out after being diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis.
During an interview with Matchroom Boxing, regarding the opportunity to take on one of the world’s highest-rated young fighters, McKinson said:
“I’m getting what I deserve.
“I’ve always dreamt of having my name up in lights, headlining big shows and it’s something I’ve envisioned from very, very young.”
Ortiz Jr. is the golden boy of Oscar De La Hoya’s stable and has yet to put a foot wrong since turning professional back in September 2016. The 24-year-old won the Junior Olympics in 2013 during a glittering amateur career which saw him claim seven national titles in the vest and headguard.
As a pro, he has held the WBA Gold and WBO International titles in the welterweight division and last year stopped former world title challenger Egidijus Kavaliauskas inside eight of 12 scheduled rounds.
“It’s always been the dream to get these big fights, the big opportunities and the big nights,” McKinson added. “This isn’t an overnight success or overnight achievement. I’ve been grafting my whole life to get to this point and I’ve only, over the last 12 months, been getting what I deserve.
“My career has elevated over the past year to 18 months and a lot of that, I think, is down to my mental capability.
“I’ve been a pro for seven-and-a-half years and this isn’t my first rodeo. This isn’t the first time I’ve been the B-side, this isn’t the first time I’ve been the underdog – I’ve always been the underdog and I’ve taken fights as the B-side before – so yes, this is on a completely different level and I am stepping up in level but I’ve proven that I’m too good for the levels I’ve been fighting at.
“It’s a big challenge, a big night for me, but I have all the belief that I can go and pull this off.
“What’s good about me is that I rise to the occasion; when people are doubting me and writing me off, I always perform better and I know I’m the banana skin.
“This is the most important night of my life because I know that if I go and beat Ortiz, a world title fight is within touching distance.”