The world of boxing is fixated on a potential matchup between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. While that fight is extremely tantalizing, there are three welterweight contenders waiting in the wings for their shot at glory. In the U.K., Conor Benn is looking for a title shot after putting together a record of 21-0. Out in Philadelphia, Jaron Ennis has built up buzz with his showstopping athleticism and sharp power. Down in Texas, Vergil Ortiz Jr. has dazzled fans with his power punching en route to a perfect record of 18-0 with 18 knockouts. While Ennis and Benn have both been able to fight this year, Ortiz Jr. has been sidelined since last summer after being diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis. Fortunately, his yearlong layoff will conclude next week as he returns to the ring at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Ortiz Jr. will be the heavy favorite as he reenters the ring for the first time in more than a year. On the other side of the ring, 28-year-old Michael McKinson stands in his way with an unblemished record of 22-0 with two knockouts. If Ortiz Jr. is able to get by the English fighter, he believes that he is ready for a title shot.
“I feel like I’m ready for it. So, it seems like every fight after this one that isn’t a world title fight is just a filler fight,” he told John N. Hansen of Bad Left Hook.
Ortiz Jr. may just get his wish. Recently, Showtime Sports President Stephen Espinoza said that negotiations for a welterweight showdown between Spence Jr. and Crawford in November were a “little bit stuck.” If a deal is not finalized within the next month, Crawford and Spence Jr. may look to other options.
