Michael McKinson (22-0, 2 KOs) will get another chance to make a name for himself when he finally faces Vergil Ortiz Jr (18-0, 18 KOs) on August 6 in at Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas.
The two welterweights were due to fight on March 19 but a few days from the fight Ortiz pulled out after being hospitalised with rhabdomyolysis.
This rearranged fight ends any hope of David Avanesyan fighting Ortiz on the same date which had been rumoured a few weeks ago. However, nine days ago the American’s manager Rick Mirigan took to Instagram to fire shots at the Russian and his team. Frank Warren, Avanesyan’s promoter, told Boxing Social that they were still working on the fight.
Ortiz and McKinson both bring unbeaten records to the table with 40 fights between them. Last time out the British welterweight fought Alex Martin, who stepped in as a replacement opponent on March 19, and won a 10-round points decision. For Ortiz the August 6 date will represent his first fight in a year. On August 14, 2021, the 24-year-old defeated Egidijus Kavaliauskas by 8th round stoppage.
“I am very happy to be stepping back into the ring again,” said Ortiz in a press release. “I’m ready to show the world once again why I’m ready for a world title.”
“I’m getting what I deserve,” said Michael McKinson. “I was prepared to fight Ortiz, Jr. before; now, I have been given the opportunity again to prove I am the best in this division.”
Ortiz Jr v McKinson will be shown live on DAZN.