A potential horror movie could premiere on August 6.
Mike Coppinger reports that undefeated rising star Vergil Ortiz Jr (18-0, 18 KOs) will face off against David Avanesyan (29-3-1, 17 KOs) dodged in Fort Worth, Texas, live on DAZN.
Avanesyan, now promoted by Queensbury, was once linked with a WBC weight loss elimination match against Ortiz earlier in the year but the Texans chose a different path. In fact, the 24-year-old was heavily touted to switch to a showdown with Brit Michael McKinson on March 19 but was forced to withdraw during the fighting week after being diagnosed with rhabdomyolysisdescribed as a ‘serious medical condition’.
Ortiz is coming back straight to a fierce battle on paper. Both are pressure fighters who rarely back down.
Avanesyan, 33, has long called for a fight against Conor Benn but in reality, it never seems to happen.
The Russian has suffered a setback for four years, losing in the sixth round to Egidijus Kavaliauskas but excelling back to knock out Kerman Lejarraga (twice) before slamming the once-hot prospect of the Chamber. Josh Kelly. ‘Ava’ has ranked above one or two recent rivals Liam Taylor and Oskari Metz with no matches reaching the third round.
Kavaliauskas was a common rival for Avanesyan and Ortiz had fought the latter nine months ago. The Lithuanians put in a great effort but simply could not make it to RING magazine’s 2019 prospect of the year list, ending with a stop in the 1/8 round.
Ortiz and Avanesyan are ranked one and two with the WBC, respectively, but there is no news yet on whether this matchup will order a final elimination to Errol Spence’s title.
