LAS VEGAS — Ghanaian boxer Frederick Lawson, nicknamed “General Okunka,” is gearing up for a tough test on January 6th, 2024, when he takes on rising star Vergil Ortiz Jr. at 154 pounds in Las Vegas. Lawson’s(30-3-0) record and 22 KOs, has been a force in the welterweight division for over a decade and is known for his aggressive style and powerful punches. Ortiz Jr. will be making his debut at this weight class during the fight.
Ortiz(19-0, 19 KOs) was set to face Stanionis earlier in a 147-pound competition, but the bout was postponed three times. Once due to Stanionis’s emergency appendectomy and second time because of Ortiz’s battle with rhabdomyolysis, a serious medical condition that occurs when muscle tissue breaks down, releasing its contents, including proteins and electrolytes, into the bloodstream.
Ortiz, 25, will look to win his first title at junior middleweight rather than welterweight after a 17-month ring absence when he fights Lawson. In March 2021, Ortiz Jr. delivered a dominant performance against Maurice Hooker, stopping him in the sixth round with a thunderous left hook. This victory propelled him into the boxing limelight. Five months later, Ortiz Jr. continued his impressive streak with a seventh-round TKO victory over Egidijus Kavaliauskas. Ortiz Jr. has shifted his focus to the 154-pound division.
“Headlining my first card in Las Vegas after over a year of inactivity is just what I needed,” Ortiz said in media reports . “I am very motivated to put on a great show like I always do, and to show everyone that I’m still here,” Ortiz added.
The fight will be an intriguing clash of styles as Lawson is a pressure fighter who likes to get in close and unload heavy punches. Ortiz Jr., on the other hand, is a skilled boxer who prefers to use his jab and footwork to keep his distance.
Lawson’s experience and power will be his biggest assets.
“Vergil is ready to come back stronger than ever to become a world champion in this sport,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “He’s got the heart and dedication and is on a mission to be a world titleholder.”
