Ortiz and McKinson were scheduled to face off in March. But during fight week, Ortiz had to bow out after being diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis. McKinson (22-0, 2 KOs) remained on the show and defeated Alex Martin via unanimous decision. The Brit is excited to get the opportunity that appeared to slip through his fingers.
“I’m getting what I deserve,” McKinson said in a press release. “I was prepared to fight Ortiz, Jr. before; now, I have been given the opportunity again to prove I am the best in this division.”
Ortiz was last seen in the ring in an eighth-round TKO victory against former welterweight title challenger Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas in August 2021, which saw the 24-year-old's will tested for the first time. However, he's healthy and ready to show the boxing world he's ready to compete for his first world title.
“I am very happy to be stepping back into the ring again,” Ortiz said. “I’m ready to show the world once again why I’m ready for a world title.”
A victory puts the winner in a good position to be fighting for a world title in their next fight.
Here is everything you need to know about Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Michael McKinson.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Michael McKinson fight date, start time
Date: Saturday, August 6
Time: 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT/2 a.m. BST
Main event ringwalks (approx): 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT / 4 a.m. BST
The main card is scheduled to get underway at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT / 2 a.m. BST with main event ringwalks scheduled for 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m PT / 4 a.m. BST. These timings could change due to the length of the undercard bouts.
Can I watch Ortiz vs. McKinson on DAZN?
The card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe. You can sign up for a subscription here. However, if you are in Argentina, Chile and Colombia you must download the DAZN app from the Apple App Store or Android Google Play store and then sign up from there, rather than via web browser.
Where is the Ortiz vs McKinson fight?
The fight takes place at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. record and bio
Nationality: American
Born: March 25, 1998
Height: 5' 10"
Reach: 72"
Total fights: 18
Record: 18-0 with 18 knockouts
Michael McKinson record and bio
Nationality: British
Born: April 17, 1994
Height: 5' 9"
Reach: 70"
Total fights: 22
Record: 22-0 with two knockouts
Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Michael McKinson fight card
- Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Michael McKinson; Welterweights
- Marlen Esparza vs. Eva Guzman for Esparza’s WBC/WBA Women’s Flyweight titles
- Maurice Hooker vs. Blair Cobbs; Welterweights
- Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Sladan Janjanin; Super Middleweights
- Alex Martin vs. Hank Lundy; Junior Welterweights