Golden Boy publicists released shattering news today. All-world welterweight contender Vergil Ortiz of Grand Prairie is hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and had to withdraw from Saturday's fight with Michael McKinson at the Galen Center at the grounds of USC in Los Angeles. The 12-round bout was due to headline Golden Boy’s card on DAZN. It is unclear at the moment if the card will be canceled, rescheduled or will proceed with a different main event.
Golden Boy said in an announcement that after Ortiz was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis he was “recovering well in hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.” It was later reported that Ortiz was sent home and is going well Rhabdomyolysis, is sometimes shortened to rhabdo and can be a serious condition that occurs when damaged muscle tissue releases its proteins and electrolytes into the blood. causing serious heart and kidney damage that can lead all the way to death in its most severe cases.
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya wished the undefeated Texan well saying “We wish Vergil a very quick and speedy recovery,” “As fighters, our first instinct is to fight whatever we have and tough it out. It takes a lot of courage to admit that something is wrong and get the care that you need. We are confident that we will be seeing Vergil in the ring again very soon.”
Ortiz has not fought since August when he stopped Egidijus Kavaliauskas in eight rounds at The Star in Frisco. This was the same night that Joshua Franco, of San Antonio, successfully defended his WBA Super Flyweight belt against Andrew Moloney in Oklahoma, which in part led to Ortiz splitting with hall of fame trainer Robert Garcia. Ortiz was training with Manny Robles for this camp.
Golden Boy is looking to find a last-minute replacement for McKinson (21-0, 2 KOs), 27, who has been in Los Angeles for over a week and is already nearly on weight.