Vergil Ortiz, Jr., the undefeated wrecking ball from Grand Prairie, Texas, bulldozed his way back into the ring, stampeding into the super welterweight division. He delivered a jaw-dropping first-round TKO against Fredrick “General Okunka” Lawson of Accra, Ghana. The clock barely hit 2:33 before the referee had to jump in and save Lawson from further demolition. Ortiz Jr., flaunting a flawless knockout streak, roared as the new terror of the division at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, with fans around the globe watching through DAZN’s lens.
“I’m geared up for anyone. It’s like I’m back in my element,” Vergil Ortiz Jr. boasted. “This is my turf; I’m cut out for this and I’m not stopping. There’s a bucket list of fighters I want to tangle with, but Tim Tszyu, you’re up. Respect where it’s due, but it’s time to dance.”
In the co-main event, Venezuela’s own Ismael Barroso, “El Tigre,” proved he’s far from finished, clinching a first-round TKO over the U.K.’s Ohara “Two Tanks” Davies. The clock was kinder to Davies, only reaching 1:33. Barroso strutted off with the WBA Super Lightweight Interim World Championship, a shiny new toy to add to his collection.
“From day one, they said I packed a punch, and with God as my cornerman, I sure do,” Ismael Barroso declared. “That first jab told me everything – I had him on the ropes. The fans are itching for a showdown with Romero, and here I am, not going anywhere!”
Then there was Arnold Barbosa Jr., the new kid on the Golden Boy block. Hailing from El Monte, he dazzled in an eight-round TKO over South Africa’s Xolisani Ndongeni. Ndongeni’s corner threw in the towel after the eighth, deciding enough was enough. And Raul “El Cugar” Curiel, still unscathed, dished out a TKO to Elias Diaz at 1:06 in the eighth, in a bout that promised but didn’t need ten rounds.
Kicking off the night, Emiliano Gandara of Dallas, Texas, made his pro debut against Timvonte Carson of Columbia, South Carolina. Gandara didn’t need much time, only 2:11 in the first round, to show Carson the canvas.
