Vergil Ortiz Jr. matures in round 6 KO of Antonio Orozco

A star was born after Vergil Ortiz Jr. rose to the occasion and became the first person to KO experienced Antonio Orozco in round 6.

Golden Boy Promotions hoped that their young prospect Vergil Ortiz Jr. (14-0, 14 KOs) would fight up to expectations in his headling performance on Saturday, Aug. 10 against highly ranked Antonio Orozco (28-2, 17 KOs). It’s safe to say that he exceeded expectations, but it wasn’t easy.

The 21-year-old Ortiz demonstrated his thunderous power early in round 1. He hurt Orozco with a left hook to the body and nearly knocked Orozco down with a follow-up combination. Orozco showed heart and rallied in the last minute with bold combinations of his own. He pushed Ortiz to the ropes and invested to the body.

Orozco stood firm in the center of the ring to start round 2. His experience showed as he scored off his jab. Ortiz was in the unfamiliar position of retreating. He moved well on the outside of the ring and continued to target Orozco’s body. It was a challenging round to score, but Orozco’s boxing wisdom swayed things in his favor.

Ortiz regained the upper hand in round 3. He found his jab and hooked to Orozco’s body with the same hand. Orozco’s confidence slightly dipped, and he looked a step behind the younger Ortiz.

Ortiz clubbed Orozco with a straight jab to begin the fourth round. Orozco scored when he closed the distance, but that didn’t happen often. Ortiz moved nicely and made himself a hard target for Orozco to find.

Ortiz coasted in the middle of the round. He didn’t let his hands go and moved his upper body to avoid Orozco’s punches. However, Ortiz’s inactivity allowed Orozco a chance to win the round.

Ortiz’s left hand was active in round 5. He jabbed then hooked to Orozco’s body. Orozco landed several left hooks to the body of his own, but Ortiz outscored him with his jab. He controlled the round and calmed down for the first time of the fight. Ortiz showed a new maturity in his boxing I.Q. as he picked apart Orozco at will.

Orozco attacked Ortiz’s body to open the sixth round, but Ortiz countered to the head which momentarily stunned Orozco. Before Orozco could clear his head, Ortiz nailed him with a left uppercut that dropped Orozco. He got to his feet at the count of eight, but never regained his senses.

Ortiz unleashed a flurry of left and right hooks. It was the right hand that caught Orozco on the jaw and floored him again. He barely beat the count, and the referee almost waived off the fight. Orozco tried to survive Ortiz’s onslaught, but it was no use. Orozco was hurt, and Ortiz’s hands were too heavy and accurate.

The last combination was almost too fast to see. Ortiz hit Orozco three hooks with a left hand that finished things for Orozco. Orozco hit the deck for the third time, and the referee immediately stopped the fight.

Ortiz struggled somewhat in the first four rounds. He looked like a power puncher who was being outsmarted by a better boxer. In round 5, Ortiz figured Orozco out. Ortiz proved that he’s more than just a one-punch artist as he dazzled Orozco with his jab and movement.

Ortiz discovered a wealth of abilities that he might not have realized he possessed. He grew up in front of our eyes and might be the biggest threat in the super lightweight division. Ortiz needs several more fights before entering a title shot, but his potential is limitless. It’s scary to imagine how good he can be if that potential is fully unlocked.