Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, USA. In the main event of the show, top welterweight prospect (up to 66.7 kg) American puncher Virgil Ortiz (19-0, 19 KOs) beat Briton Michael McKinson (22-1, 2 KOs). Ortiz’s WBO International belt was at stake, and it was also a WBA eliminator (just don’t ask which organization champion).
Ortiz, as expected, immediately began to work as an aggressive first number, but McKinson really turned out to be a very uncomfortable opponent: southpaw, maneuverable, with a cool body defense, thinking, often clinching. In the opening round, the underdog hit the favorite near the eye – they clashed heads.
The lack of impact was expected to be a problem for McKinson. It turned out that there was nothing to stop the pressure of Ortiz. The Briton began to lose his mouthguard, missed body shots and uppercuts in the 3rd round.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. knocks McKinson’s mouthpiece out, as he turns the pressure on in the 3rd round #OrtizMcKinson pic.twitter.com/qKdhjujguu
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 7, 2022
Another problem was that the American got used to avoiding clinches, that is, he did not give the British an opportunity to take a breath. Very cool pressure from Ortiz.
@terencecrawford gives his thoughts on the fight so far#OrtizMcKinson pic.twitter.com/o0Wwjvz7KR
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 7, 2022
McKinson missed a blow to the liver and was knocked down 10 seconds before the end of the 8th round.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. knocks down Michael McKinson with a perfectly placed body shot #OrtizMcKinson pic.twitter.com/GHcfqxv3k7
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 7, 2022
With the very first blow in the 9th three-minute period, Ortiz recorded a second knockdown in his asset. McKinson uncertainly declared to the referee his desire to continue the fight, began to frantically wind circles around the perimeter of the ring. In the corner, the Britons decided it was time to capitulate. And there is.
Ortis TKO 9.
United champion in the flyweight (up to 50.8 kg) Olympic medalist American
Marlene Esparza (13-1, 1 KO) defeated
Eva Gusman (19-2-1, 11 KOs) from Venezuela.
Judges score: 98-92, 98-92 and 99-91.
Esparza UD 10.
In the super light weight limit (up to 63.5 kg) American
Alex Martin (18-4, 6 KOs) was knocked down early, but still confidently beat the age compatriot gatekeeper and ex-challenger Henry Lundy (31-11-1, 14 KOs).
Martin UD 10 (98-91 and twice 97-92).