Vergil Ortiz Jr. walked away with a first-round TKO win over Frederick Lawson earlier tonight (Sat., Jan. 6, 2024) dwell on DAZN from inside Virgin Lodge in Las Vegas, Nevada, however referee Tony Weeks finally spoiled the night with a boneheaded untimely stoppage.
Ortiz, who pushed his undefeated skilled file to 20-0 with the win, was the betting favourite to care for enterprise this weekend in “Sin Metropolis.” Nonetheless, the final time Ortiz fought was again in Aug. 2022 when he knocked out Michael McKinson in Texas. Struggle followers didn’t know for certain if Ortiz would carry any ring rust into this battle.
Thankfully, the 25-year-old didn’t miss a beat. He discovered his vary early into the primary and was capable of land some good photographs on the transfer. Ortiz began to open up extra later within the first spherical and landed a set of punches to the top and physique alongside the ropes. Lawson was bobbing and weaving, however getting clipped alongside the best way.
Weeks, who has been refereeing boxing for roughly 30 years, will need to have thought the punches have been touchdown tougher than they have been. He shortly stepped in and separated Ortiz from Lawson, finally calling a untimely finish to the battle and never permitting Ortiz to showcase his true ending skill.
Take a look at the early stoppage within the above video participant and extra highlights under:
