American · Dallas, USA · Born 25 March 1998Vergil Ortiz Jr. is a hard-hitting American welterweight known for an unbeaten record and a very high stoppage rate.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. was born on 25 March 1998 in Grand Prairie, Texas, the son of Vergil Ortiz Sr., a former professional boxer who introduced him to the sport. He compiled a decorated amateur career, becoming a seven-time national champion and winning the 110-pound division at the 2013 USA Junior Olympic National Championships, training out of the same Vivero Boxing Gym in Oak Cliff that produced fellow star Errol Spence Jr. Ortiz turned professional under trainer Robert Garcia and signed with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, quickly developing into one of the most feared punchers in the sport, with all but two of his professional wins coming by knockout. He was named The Ring magazine's Prospect of the Year in 2019. Nicknamed "The Texas Machine," Ortiz won an interim WBC super welterweight title in August 2024, defeating Serhii Bohachuk in a fight regarded as one of the best of the year, shortly after which his hometown of Grand Prairie honoured him with a special parade and civic proclamation for his contributions to the local community. Ortiz has continued to compete undefeated at the top level of the 154-pound division, renowned for his combination of size, power, and aggressive pressure-fighting style, and remains one of the most avoided and closely watched young punchers in the sport.
High knockout ratio; unbeaten American welterweight prospect/contender
How They Played
Aggressive pressure fighter with devastating power punching
Lasting Impact
Rising star in welterweight division with perfect knockout record
Career Honours
- The Ring Prospect of the Year 2019
American Athletes