Golden Boy Pushes For Vergil Ortiz-Keith Thurman WBC Title Eliminator

Vergil Ortiz Jr. is only eyeing a big fight next as the Texas native has all the basics covered for the purpose.

Golden Boy Promotions vice president and executive matchmaker Roberto Diaz on behalf of Ortiz requested the WBC to order a final elimination bout between the unbeaten welterweight contender and former unified titlist Keith Thurman. The proposition was made during the rating portion of this year’s annual WBC convention in Acapulco, Mexico this Tuesday afternoon.

Ortiz (19-0, 19KOs) made his case stronger following a ninth-round knockout of unbeaten Michael McKinson on August 13 in Fort Worth. While Thurman has lifted himself to the No.1 spot in the WBC rankings following his February 5 win over Mario Barrios in their semi-final title eliminator.

Ortiz is in for a major showdown, all thanks to his lofty place in line with all four sanctioning bodies. His promoter, Diaz appealed for the bout that would determine the next WBC mandatory challenger for unified WBA ‘Super’/WBC/IBF titlist Errol Spence Jr. (28-0, 22KOs).

Earlier, Spence Jr. was likely to face WBO titlist Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford for an undisputed championship clash. But now with that plan falling apart, the 32-year-old Spence could face Thurman next for a mandatory bout — as it was ordered by the WBC on Wednesday.

That will still leave Ortiz with a good opponent as secondary WBA welterweight titlist Eimantas Stanionis is required to honour his mandatory title defence by January 16, 2023.

A WBC convention will give a final ruling for all mandatory and voluntary title fights and final elimination contests next Wednesday.