Vergil Ortiz vs. Brad Solomon - December 13, 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Vergil Ortiz Jr. (14-0, 14 KOs) will look to end the 2019 year with another spectacular knockout win when he defends his WBA Gold Welterweight Title against Brad “King” Solomon (28-1, 9 KOs) in a 12-round fight. The event will take place Friday, Dec. 13 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. and will be streamed live as part of fight season on DAZN.

“We’re absolutely proud of what Vergil Ortiz Jr. has been able to accomplish in his young career,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “That’s why we’re ending the year with him in an exciting main event fight on DAZN. The 147-pound division is one of the most competitive and popular divisions in boxing, so another knockout win will put this young talent on the path to very big fights in 2020.”

Since debuting as a professional in 2016, Ortiz Jr. knocked out every opponent in sight. The native of Grand Prairie, Texas, who has roots in Michoacan, Mexico, will return after passing the toughest test of his career with flying colors: a sixth-round stoppage victory against former world title challenger Antonio “Relentless” Orozco earlier this year. This young man is excited to return to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, the place where he made his professional debut over three years ago.

“Fantasy Springs has a special place in my heart,” said Vergil Ortiz Jr. “I made my pro debut there in July 2016. Knowing I’m headlining there is motivating me to show my fans out there how much I have improved over the years. I’m also happy because an event like this shows that I’m on the right path. Everything is going as it should be. I’ve seen Brad Solomon’s record. I’ve seen that he’s beaten Adrian Granados and Ray Robinson, so you have to be pretty skilled to beat people like them. I don’t know how this fight ends, but you can all expect a great fight.”

Solomon is a 36-year-old contender of Lafayette, Lousiana who was a standout amateur boxer before debuting as a professional in 2008. Aside from winning several Golden Gloves titles, Solomon also possess an amateur win over Javier Molina. As a professional, he as defeated tough fighters such as Freddy “The Rail” Hernandez and Adrian “El Tigre” Granados. Solomon will look to put is career back on track to a world title if he can get past Ortiz Jr.

“Vergil Ortiz Jr. is a great young prospect,” said Brad Solomon. “It’s going to be a good matchup. I’ve been out of the ring for about a year, so I have to come back and beat this young fighter. I have to show everyone in the welterweight division that I’m still here.”

Also, Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins, Golden Boy Business Partner and Hall of Famer, will be the special VIP guest for this event. Hopkins will be in attendance for this event to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures inside the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center. The meet-and-greet is open to the public with the purchase of a ticket to the event.

In the co-main event, Alberto “Explosivo” Machado (21-2, 17 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico will make his highly anticipated return in a 10-round fight. Machado will officially make his debut at 135 pounds after losing his WBA Super Featherweight World Title against Andrew “El Chango” Cancio. Machado will look to make a campaign for a world title in this new division.

Erik Bazinyan (23-0, 17 KOs) of Quebec, Canada will defend his NABA Super Middleweight World Title in a 10-round clash. Bazinyan is inching closer to a world title with each battle, and he’ll look to maintain his top contender status with an impressive win to close out the year. Opponents for Machado and Bazinyan will be announced shortly.

Golden Boy is also proud to announce two high-level matchups that are sure to produce fistic fireworks.

Alexis “Lex” Rocha (14-0, 9 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. will defend his WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Title in a 10-round bout against Michael “The Artist” Perez (25-3-1, 11 KOs) of Newark, N.J.

Luis Feliciano (13-0, 8 KOs) of Milwaukee, Wis. will defend his NABF Super Lightweight Title against Herbert “Ace” Acevedo (16-2-1, 6 KOs) of Garden City, Kansas in a 10-round fight.

Genaro “El Conde” Gamez (9-1, 6 KOs) of San Diego, Calif. will open the night in an eight-round lightweight clash.

Ortiz vs. Solomon is a 12-round fight for the WBA Gold Welterweight Title presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Tecate, "THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING," and Hennessy "Never Stop. Never Settle." The event will take place Friday, Dec. 13 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. and will be streamed live on DAZN.

Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, Nov. 22 at 10:00 a.m. PT are priced at $25, $35 and $45. Tickets will be available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

[Ron C]

I know Ortiz is gaining some pretty serious momentum right now and is the heavy favorite, but man I’d love to see Brad Solomon pull this off. Brad Solomon was training in Florida in 2010-2011 and I’ve hung out with him a few times. Such a cool dude. Will never forget the heated sparring session I saw him in with Joel Julio

[oogiebe]

I know Ortiz is gaining some pretty serious momentum right now and is the heavy favorite, but man I’d love to see Brad Solomon pull this off. Brad Solomon was training in Florida in 2010-2011 and I’ve hung out with him a few times. Such a cool dude. Will never forget the heated sparring session I saw him in with Joel Julio

That said and all things considered, let's just hope the lad comes out of this safe. Ortiz by early Kayo.

[Best Coast]

Decent test for Ortiz!! Unlike Vergil's last fight, Solomon is a legit, career-long welterweight. I was almost ready to think Brad might go the distance with Ortiz but after realizing he is 36 and has been out of action for 19 months I'll go with Vergil in about 4-5 rounds.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight week.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Vergil Ortiz Wants Crawford, Garcia or Thurman in 2020

“There’s a few fighters I’d like to face in 2020, like Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia, but I don’t think that’ll happen next year, with politics and all of that,” Ortiz Jr. told Boxing Scene in an interview. “Realistically, those fights probably won’t happen next year even though if it was an opportunity that came up, I would take it in a heartbeat. I want to be able to keep taking harder challenges. I don’t like filler fights. Every fight has a meaning. I want to make sure it does.”

If Ortiz Jr. passes his test with flying colors, he’d even consider competing against Terence Crawford, who of late has had a hard time finding credible counterparts in the 147 division.

“I’m definitely open to anything,” said Ortiz Jr. “If there’s a world title shot — if they offered me Crawford, even though I may not have an even shot against him, I would do everything in my power to try and beat him. It doesn't matter who it is — if it’s for a world title, I will fight anyone if they give me an opportunity … I’m not ready yet for Terence Crawford, I’ll be honest. He’s a pound-for-pound top five. He’s very skillful. At this moment, I don’t think I would be ready, but I would be, in no more than two years.

“When we face higher-level opponents, we’ll know what to add. Experienced fighters have what I don’t have, and that’s more rounds in the ring.”

Ortiz Jr. could perhaps have the same opportunity the 23-year-old Canelo Alvarez once had when he was still raw and in the ring against Floyd Mayweather in 2013.

In a day and age where fighters are over cautious in protecting the vaunted zero on their records, and timid in taking risks, Ortiz Jr.’s desires in facing current and former world champions at such an early stage in his career is a welcome sight to see.

[Ruthless-RKO]

It is never easy to decipher what Golden Boy Promotions is up to.

This weekend, on Dec. 13, De la Hoya and Co. put their premier prospect Vergil Ortiz Jr. (14-0, 14 KO) up against a tricky veteran in Brad Solomon (28-1, 9 KO), to be aired by DAZN. It is either a case of inexplicable matchmaking, setting up their young puncher to meet his stylistic foil, or perhaps the case of an aging welterweight in perfect position to finally be stopped inside the distance which would do wonders for a surging tyro like Ortiz.

Ortiz is is one of Golden Boy’s remaining commodities. Still just 21, the Texas-born welterweight could be helping bolster shows headlined by more established company men like Canelo or Jaime Munguia. But considering the tension brewing between Oscar de la Hoya and Canelo Alvarez, and given Ryan Garcia’s mixed reception, talent is being spread thin to fill the schedule, leaving no choice but to again push Ortiz to the top of the bill. This weekend represents his second headliner in a row.

In August, Ortiz destroyed former world champion Antonio Orozco, scoring three knockdowns, and punched in a vicious sixth-round knockout. The KO bought one name to mind, that of Jose Ramirez, who went 12 strenuous rounds with Orozco and was unable to close the show. In fact Orozco had never been stopped until he met Ortiz, who barely old enough to drink conceivably one up’d a unified beltholder. In all it was Ortiz’s third win of the year.

Earlier in 2019, Ortiz backed up both Canelo and Munguia, competing on their undercards. He was successful in orchestrating knockouts each time. The knockouts have been rolling in for Ortiz ever since turning professional. Yet to go to the cards since his amateur days. He sparked Jesus Vargas in February. Valdez, of Mexico, had only been stopped once before in almost 30 fights. Months later, Ortiz’s opponent was better known, one Mauricio Herrera, who had previously never come unstuck in his lauded career. Ortiz changed that with a right cross from hell that ended Herrera’s night in the third round. This one of the division’s most avoided boxers for having outboxed Danny Garcia, Jose Benavidez Jr. and others, slumped in under nine minutes by a kid.

Technically Ortiz was an adult, just 18, when Golden Boy Promotions picked him up—opting for De la Hoya over Top Rank who also had immense interest. His talent would soon match the hype surrounding his remarkable ammy record of 140-20. Ortiz linked up with Robert Garcia by 2018. And his first fight training out of Oxnard was on national TV, where he took apart former titlist Jose Carlos Salgado.

For Ortiz’s prodigious ways, a fight with Solomon may seem like a step backwards from a tested warrior like Orozco. After all the American Solomon is unranked and relatively inactive, fighting just twice since the Spring of 2016. However a close examination of his record reveals the fruits to bear for Ortiz if he can impose real punishment onto his older opponent.

Solomon, 36, is probably best known for his appearance on the star-studded undercard in support of Manny Pacquiao’s third engagement with Tim Bradley, battling the touted Konstantin Ponomarev. The welterweight out of Georgia had climbed his way out of the regional ranks, defeating a handful of names that do not look so bad in hindsight: divisional spoiler Ray Robinson, network drudge Freddy Hernandez, former title contender Demetrius Hopkins, and PBC’s resident brawler Adrian Granados.

Never knocked out, the only loss to Solomon’s name came that night to Ponomarev, by split-decision. He racked up a few rounds early on. And while he was severely outworked down the stretch, he utilized a brand of awkward positioning to stick his man with some hard shots.

Most recently, Solomon took part in the Sulaiman World Invitational welterweight tournament. In the opening round he got off the canvas against Belfast popularizer Paddy Gallagher to win on points. Too bad that was 19 months ago because while Solomon waited for the tourney to continue, the operation ultimately collapsed. Closer to 40 than 30 now, Solomon’s time has passed. His duty to the sport is of a stern test to its hottest up-and-comer.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ortiz (14-0, 14KOs) checked in at 148 pounds, and will have two hours to make the 147-pound divisional limit or else will be subject to a fine. Solomon got it right on the first try, hitting the scales at a fighting fit 146.8 pounds for his first ring appearance since last April.

[oogiebe]

Ortiz (14-0, 14KOs) checked in at 148 pounds, and will have two hours to make the 147-pound divisional limit or else will be subject to a fine. Solomon got it right on the first try, hitting the scales at a fighting fit 146.8 pounds for his first ring appearance since last April.

Long piss or short shvt and he's there. Maybe even a haircut to play it safe.

[oogiebe]

Ortiz made it on his second try. 147

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ortiz made it on his second try. 147

Just heard. What he do? Have a shït?

[oogiebe]

Ortiz made it on his second try. 147

Just heard. What he do? Have a shït?

LOL! probably.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Live from the Fantasy Springs in Indio, California.
Golden Boy Promotions present: Ortiz vs. Solomon



Time: 7:30pm ET | 4:30pm PT
TV/Live stream: DAZN | Price: $19.99/Month, $99.99/Year
Time: 9pm ET | 6pm PT
TV/Live stream: DAZN | Price: $19.99/Month, $99.99/Year

Prelims (DAZN, 7:30 pm ET)

8 Round Super Middleweight Contest
Erik Bazinyan (23-0, 17 KO) vs. Saul Roman (45-13, 37 KO)

NABF Super Lighweight Title Championship
Luis Feliciano (13-0, 8 KO) vs. Herbert Acevedo (16-2-1, 6 KO)

Main Card (DAZN, 9:00 pm ET)

WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Championship
Alexis Rocha (14-0, 9 KO) vs. Roberto Valenzuela (17-1, 16 KO)

Vacant WBA Continental Americas Super Middleweight Championship
Bektemir Melikuziev (3-0, 3 KO) vs. Vaughn Alexander (15-3, 9 KO)

10 Round Lightweight Contest
Alberto Machado Jr (21-2, 17 KO) vs. Luis Porozo (14-1, 7 KO)

12 Round Welterweight Contest
Vergil Ortiz Jr (14-0, 14 KO) vs. Brad Solomon (28-1, 9 KO)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anyone gonna watch this? Keep updates.

[oogiebe]

Anyone gonna watch this? Keep updates.

Getting up for work in 7 hours. I'll never make it....

[Best Coast]

Solid undercard with several unbeaten prospects. American hopefuls Alexis Rocha & Luis Feliciano plus Ukrainian Sergei Bohachuk!! But the best global prospect is 2016 Olympian Bek Melikuziev of Uzbekistan. For a guy with just 3 pro bouts, Vaughn Alexander should be a good test for Bek. Vaughn is ex-world champ Devon's brother and is developing into something of a gatekeeper. He handed unbeaten Money Powell his first pro defeat a few months back and has never been stopped. Despite dropping from LH to SM for this bout, Bek should be able to stop Alexander inside the distance....only a question of when.

[Best Coast]

As expected, Ortiz stopped Solomon in the 5th. But Vaughn Alexander showed he is becoming a legit gatekeeper by extending Melikuziev the 10-round distance for the first time in Bek's career.

Nice wins for Feliciano & Rocha too, with prelims, shown here on YouTube.

[JxhDel.]

Vergil is truly a top prospect. Can fight from every distance, knife-like shots and precise movements, mexican style at its best