Welterweight contender Vergil Ortiz is set to return to the ring this summer. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya recently told Dan Rafael that Ortiz will return to the ring on August 6, 2022. De La Hoya and company have not identified an opponent or venue for the bout, but DAZN plans to broadcast the fight to viewers around the world.
Ortiz holds a record of 18 wins, zero losses and 18 knockouts. He was set to fight Michael McKinson in Los Angeles, California earlier this year, but he suffered from rhabdomyolysis late in training camp. Ultimately, he was forced out of the fight until he was able to make a full recovery.
While Ortiz was sidelined, a number of important fights unfolded in the welterweight division. Former champion Keith Thurman returned from a long layoff and earned a unanimous decision victory against former 140-pound champion Mario Barrios. Elsewhere, Errol Spence Jr. earned another title by stopping Yordenis Ugas late. Now, Spence Jr. looks to make a unification bout with Terrence Crawford later this year.
Despite all that has happened, Ortiz remains the mandatory challenge for the WBC Welterweight Championship. He is also ranked as the second contender to challenge for the IBF Welterweight Championship. With a win, Ortiz would move one step closer to a title shot.
Some news from today’s #boxing notebook on the return of ?@VergilOrtiz?. Make sure to sign up for my newsletter. pic.twitter.com/GhkEY3wbdp
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) May 12, 2022
