Vergil Ortiz Jr. Powers Past Samuel Vargas In Golden Boy’s Return
The pressure was on for Vergil Ortiz Jr., as he was looking to prove he could handle the increase in competition under the Golden Boy banner. Without an audience, Ortiz was able to thrive as he used his power to move past Samuel Vargas.
Inside the Fantasy Springs Casino Resort in Indio, California, Ortiz (16-0) beat Vargas (31-6-2) via seventh-round knockout. The 22-year-old now has won all sixteen of his fights via some form of knockout.
“I hit him in the body so many times, I don’t know how he didn’t go down,” Ortiz stated after the fight. “I knew it was time to take him out.”
The two were initially supposed to fight one another back in March before the coronavirus postponed plans for the fight. Ortiz would be without trainer Robert Garcia, who tested positive for COVID-19 before the bout. He also dedicated his fight to Travell Mazion, who passed away not long ago. He used what he knew towards his advantage, as Vargas was getting attacked with vicious right hands to the body and face right from the get-go.
This ones for you bro watch over me in the ring 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/ezrvaHyg7u
— Vergil Ortiz Jr. (@VergilOrtiz) July 24, 2020
Vargas was exposing himself early on as he was attempting to duck through the explosive offense of Ortiz. Ortiz would use jabs in round three and by round four he would hit shoulder roll shots. He would hit combination hooks and by the end of the round, referee Jack Reiss called in the doctor to check on Vargas. It would not be the last time Reiss would get involved in this fight.
At this point, Ortiz landed 69 power punches compared to Vargas’ 29. Ortiz was able to snap Vargas’ head back. This would end up being the ultimate test for Ortiz, as only one of his fights had gone past the fifth round before this one. He would hit combination and power jabs to the face of Vargas, and Vargas was visibly bleeding through all camera angles.
Round seven would see combination shots by Ortiz. Vargas, overwhelmed, did everything he could to halt any momentum, including tackling Ortiz to the floor. Ortiz recovered with a big uppercut that pushed Vargas against the ropes. He would hit shots to the body and would continue doing so until Reiss ended up calling the fight off as the round came to a close.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. is a baaaaaaad man 💥 pic.twitter.com/I64RlFa3Qr
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) July 25, 2020
Ortiz would end up landing 66 punches in round seven according to CompuBox. He landed 154 out of 318 overall while Vargas landed 44 out of 243. As far as what is next for him, Ortiz requested two top welterweights.
“I think I’m ready for Danny Garcia or Keith Thurman,” Ortiz stated. “I’m here to take risks. That what will make me great.”
Vargas is now 2-2 in his last five fights with one draw. He won his last bout against Silverio Ortiz.