Grand Prairie native, the former prospect of the year, and unbeaten welterweight phenom Vergil Ortiz appear to be set to return. Although no date or venue has been announced, multiple sources have reported that Ortiz will return to the ring and battle unbeaten British prospect Micahel McKinson. Both prospects are undefeated. Ortiz sports a perfect 18-0 (18) record and thee 27-year-old McKinson has a record of 21-0 but has shockingly won only two of those fights within the distance.
McKinson held the WBO European welterweight title from 2019 to 2020 and currently holds the WBO Global title. he is trained by his father Michael Ballingall and most recently fought in Eddie's Garden in Brentwood, England, and defeated Przemyslaw Runowski via wide decision. He scored his last win via stoppage all the way back in 2017 when he stopped Colin Lyles via 6th round TKO.
Vergil Ortiz last fought in August as well and was challenged early on by Egidijus Kavaliauskas but rallied to score four knockdowns and secure an 8th round TKO. Ortiz was formerly trained by the legendary Robert Garcia, but the two ended the relationship back in November. Garcia traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma to work Josh Franco's corner, and Vergil was trained by his dad and other members of the Garcia family. It is unclear exactly who will be working Ortiz's corner for the McKinson fight.
Last month, the WBC ordered Ortiz its #1 ranked welterweight to face #3 David Avanesyan in a final eliminator. Rick Mirigian the manager of Ortiz informed the WBC to turn the fight down. Although there has been no official word as to whether it’s an eliminator, however seeing as Ortiz is also ranked #1 by the WBO and McKinson is ranked third by the same organization, it seems like that's the direction the WBO will go with it. There's no date but it is expected to be televised on DAZN and will be the main event.