Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images
Vergil Ortiz Jr. withdrew from the fight with Eimantas Stanionis after passing out and being hospitalized for undisclosed reasons, according to Boxing Scene. The World Boxing Association (WBA) regular welterweight title fight would take place this Saturday, July 8 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Golden Boy Promotions reported Ortiz Jr.’s departure from this Saturday’s card, but it is still unknown if rhabdomyolysis is the reason he is in the hospital. The promoter stated that the duel between Floyd Schofield Jr. and Haskell Lydell Rhodes will now headline the show.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our boxers and of course we support Vergil’s decision. 100 percent. This unfortunate event, however, opens the door for one of Golden Boy’s top prospects, Floyd Schofield, to step up his profile by headlining in his home state of Texas. As always, we will present a high-action card from top to bottom on July 8 and look forward to showcasing all of our fighters both in San Antonio and on DAZN,” the statement read.
VERGIL ORTIZ JR. PULL OUT OF FIGHT SCHEDULED FOR JULY 8
Nothing is more important than the safety of our fighters, and we support Vergil’s decision 100 percent. We will, as always, put on a high-action card from top to bottom on July 8 in San Antonio and on DAZN. pic.twitter.com/o2fGbsH2jn
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) July 6, 2023
It should be noted that Vergil Ortiz Jr. was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis in March 2022 and since he began to suffer from it, the boxer he has postponed his last two fights with Michael McKinson and also with Eimantas Stanionis on three occasions. After recovering, the boxer took a knockout victory against the Briton in August 2022 and now, after overcoming a new bout of the disease, has withdrawn from the fight with the Lithuanian champion.
A few days ago, the Mexican-American had expressed that he had been dealing with rhabdomyolysis in recent months, a disease that he suffered after having Covid for a long time, but commented that has made a great recovery and feels better than he has in a long time.
“I was dealing with rhabdomyolysis. She came from having Covid for a long time. So she suffered from Covid for a long time, but we have been doing a great recovery, we have implemented it in my daily life every daysometimes twice a day. And I’m feeling good. This is the best I’ve felt in a long time,” Ortiz Jr. told Bro Bible.
Vergil Ortiz Jr., 24, last stepped into the ring in August 2022, when he defeated Michael McKinson on the fast track. The Mexican American Boxer he has his unbeaten record after 19 fights, all won by knockout.
Keep reading:
· Vergil Ortiz Jr. returns to the ring and assures that he feels fine after suffering a new bout of rhabdomyolysis
· What is rhabdomyolysis? The disease for which Vergil Ortiz Jr. withdrew from the fight with Stanionis
· Vergil Ortiz Jr. affirms that fighting with Eimantas Stanionis is the opportunity he was looking for to try to become world champion