RECAP: Vergil Ortiz Junior versus Antonio" Relentless" Orozco
Grand Prairie, TX- Not a bad way to introduce yourself to the “Sweet Science” if you’re a venue. In the first ever boxing fight at The Theatre in Grand Prairie, Vergil Ortiz Jr. overcame a shaky first few rounds to keep his knockout streak alive! In the process, he did something Unified Champion Jose Ramirez couldn’t do, stop Antonio “Relentless” Orozco!
There were no feeling out rounds as both warriors immediately went into action. Vergil struck first with a jab and followed up with some clean body work in round one. A high level “phone booth” chess match ensued in round two with Orozco stealing the round by pinning Ortiz Jr. along the ropes and scoring punches.
After Ortiz responded well in the third, it was Orozco who had his best rounds in the 4th and 5th. “If that foo wants to stay on the ropes, keep him there and bust him up” pleaded Orozcos trainer in between rounds. Orozco went above and beyond his corners wishes, finding a home for his overhand right in the fourth round!
Some of that inexperience for Ortiz Jr. showed as Orozco was out-boxing Vergil in the fifth. A clean leaping left hook was the highlight for Orozco and Ortiz Jrs. face starts to show the effects from all the clean punches landed on him. His nose started to bloody a bit as well.
But just like the Homerun ball in baseball and the three-point shot in basketball, boxing's greatest equalizer is Power! Vergil Ortiz Jr. has it in abundance! A seemingly pissed off Ortiz Jr. raised his intensity in the 6th round and scored a knockdown with an uppercut! Orozco rises but once again tastes the canvas as Ortiz Jr. land his lethal counter rights.
The hometown kids’ fans in attendance explode with excitement! Shortly after, a right-left hook combo to the temple drops “Relentless” once more forcing ref Mark Malloy to stop the action with 2:16 remaining in round six and Los Tigres Del Norte “Soy El Jefe De Jefes” blares on the speakers!
Antonio Orozco (28-2) is as “Relentless” as they come! Never in a boring fight and showed Ortiz Jr. different looks he hadn’t seen. But ultimately Vergil Ortiz Jr. improves to 14-0 and keeps his knockout streak alive but he knows it was a learning experience. “Im going to be honest,” he said postfight, “I don’t like the way I did in this fight. The first 3 rounds I could of done better. I still have a lot to go as a boxer” He closed it out showing his city mad love. “Everyone knows that Grand Prairie is the grandest of all cities in the world.
We have the best people. The best work ethics, the best kids that are going to grow up and be something. I just want to be an example.”
Overall a great night of action! Hopefully it’s not the last Golden Boy Promotions event for Vergil Ortiz Jr here in the DFW area.
(image: Golden Boy Promotions)
UNDERCARD RESULTS
Joshua “El Profesor” Franco (15-1-2 7 KO’s) and Oscar Negrete (18-2-2 7 KOs) battled to another hard fought draw! The crowd pleasing bout ended once more without a resolution and the series stands 1-0-2 in favor of Franco! LongLiveBoxing was fortunate enough to capture a cool moment for both bantamweights as they embraced one another mid interview!
Hector Tanajara improves to 18-0 with a dismantling of Ezequiel Aviles (16-4-3 6Kos). All three scores were 100-90 in a Lightweight bout. I was really impressed with Tanajaras overall fighting ability! Very technical and methodical about his approach. Great ring generalship, stiff jab and stellar defense! Just a flat out boxer!
Argentina’s Marcelino Lopez (36-2-1 21 KOs) scored an emphatic fifth round knockdown over Mexicos Daniel Echeveria (21-9) in their welterweight clash. Lopez’ trainer, the highly respected Joel Diaz said Lopez is the strongest fighter in his stable. Not a comment to be taken lightly.
Travell Mazion (15-0 12KOs), from Austin, TX, returned from a year long layoff due to a torn bicep, and looked impressive! At times a bit careless, dancing and taunting his opponent Jeremy Ramos (11-7). But otherwise, the super welterweight imposed his will. He also had the best intro of the night, no music, just a moment of silence for the victims of El Paso. Well done Travell!
Local fighter representing Carrollton, TX, Alex Rincon (7-0 6 KOs) scored a sensational second round knockout over Joel Guevara ( 4-6-1). A flush right hook to Guevaras temple ends his night. The super welterweight Rincon showed great boxing ability and is a very big boy!
Probably more impressive than cruiserweight Tristan Kalkreuths (1-0) first round stoppage, was his back-flip! He is 6’4’’ and has raw athleticism! Tristan scored a first round stoppage over Kynndale Prather (0-2).
Hector Valdez improves to 11-0 with a unanimous decision win over Rafael Delgado (6-0) in the super bantamweight division.
Knockout of the night goes to Carrollton’s George Rincon as he improves to 8-0 with 5 KO’s. Rincon landed a clean right hook to Enrique Escobars temple and Enrique fell with his leg caught awkwardly. If you haven’t seen it, check out our Twitter @longliveboxng. It’s worth a look.
Joshua Juarez (9-0) scored a unanimous decision over Emmauel Sanchez (7-14-1) in the opening bout.
Article written by
Manuel “Hopper” Dominguez
@ManuelDStayTru