Avila Perspective, Chap. 148: Vergil Ortiz, the Professor, Rigondeaux and More

Avila Perspective, Chap. 148: Vergil Ortiz, the Professor, Rigondeaux and More

Those Texas guys are tough.

Despite getting swarmed and hit with the Covid-19 virus that spread wildly through their boxing gym, they adapted, recovered and are ready to return to the boxing wars.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. (17-0, 17 KOs) battles Egid Kavaliauskas (22-1-1, 18 KOs) in Frisco, Texas for a title while WBA super flyweight titlist Joshua Franco (17-1-2) meets Andrew Moloney (21-1) in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Both title fights take place separately on Saturday Aug. 14 and will be shown on different media outlets.

Ortiz and Franco train in Riverside, California at Robert Garcia Boxing Academy. Their gym was hit hard by the Covid-19 virus as were most boxing gyms across the country. Even now.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. was still recovering – though not infected any more – and managed to battle against a former world champion Maurice Hooker to win by knockout.

“When I fought Hooker, I was a good 60 percent for that fight,” said Ortiz who along with his father Vergil Ortiz Sr. were both infected by the coronavirus. “I didn’t feel good but it’s all good. I still got the knockout. Under those conditions I thought I did pretty good.”

Almost everyone at the RGBA gym was hit badly by the virus including another Texan Hector Tanajara who suffered a loss recently in Los Angeles.

“It was me, Tanajara, Alexi Espino. Not too many people at the gym at the time but around January almost everyone had it but our cook. Thank God she didn’t get a thing,” said Ortiz. “You can take as many precautions as you want. It’s hard to avoid that. We didn’t meet anywhere. We had a cook. We don’t talk to no one.”

Ortiz was sick for three weeks and was regularly tested until the results were negative. But weeks after having been diagnosed as negative for the coronavirus he still felt weak.

“Even after you are negative, you still have lingering effects,” Ortiz said.

Despite the after-effects, in March, Ortiz was able to send Hooker to the floor with a vicious body attack that ended the fight in the seventh round.

“It was hard, but we got through it. I take a lot of pride in myself still winning,” said Ortiz who though still weak decided not to cancel the fight with Hooker.

Now Ortiz faces Egid “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas whose only pro loss was against current WBO world titlist Terence Crawford. It’s a very good matchup.

“I’ve never seen him before. I know he used to train with Robert (Garcia). He’s a tough fighter and durable,” said Ortiz about Kavaliauskas who formerly was coached by Garcia in Oxnard years ago. “Me and Crawford are two different fighters, but a good measuring stick just to see how I would do.”

Ortiz expects a very tough battle and knows the importance of the match with Kavaliauskas and has a simple plan for the fight.

“Just fighting smart, don’t get hit with any shots, place my punches right and don’t lose focus,” said Ortiz.

The Golden Boy Promotions card will be shown on DAZN. Other bouts include the rematch for the WBA super featherweight title between Roger Gutierrez and Rene Alvarado. Pablo Cano meeting Danielito Zorrilla; and Wilfredo Mendez clashing with Carlos Buitrago for the WBO minimumweight title.

Franco

Meanwhile, about 239 miles north of Frisco, Texas, a world title fight takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Joshua “The Professor” Franco (17-1-2, 8 KOs) defends the WBA super flyweight title against former titleholder Andrew Moloney (21-1, 14 KOs) of Australia on Saturday. The title fight will be shown on ESPN.

This is the third meeting between Franco and Moloney with the last encounter ending early because of an eye injury to Franco supposedly resulting from an accidental clash of heads. It’s to be expected when you have two aggressive pugilists.

Franco defeated Moloney a year ago in Las Vegas to take the world title. The impact to his life has been noticeable and unexpected.

“Every now and then when I go to other boxing gyms, even some times at the store they recognize me,” said Franco. “It kind of surprises me.”

Winning the world title added an unexpected element.

“I would say I got my recognition. My confidence went up as well,” Franco says of winning a world title. “I want to do more in boxing.”

It’s not enough for the San Antonio, Texas fighter.

Franco expects another tough battle with Moloney.

“I just have to be the patient fighter that I am, break him down a little and taking advantage,” said Franco, 25. “I’m just adding things to my arsenal come fight night.”

ESPN and ESPN+ will show the boxing card that includes Arnold Barboza versus Antonio Moran; Jason Moloney meets Joshua Greer; Andres Cortes fights Genesis Servania and several others.

Rigondeaux in L.A.

If you’re a fan of Cuban boxing then check out Guillermo Rigondeaux (20-1, 13 KOs) who will challenge John Riel Casimero (30-4, 21 KOs) for the WBO bantamweight world title on Saturday Aug. 14, at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The venue was formerly known as the StubHub Center. Showtime will televise.

Rigondeaux should be a handful at 118 pounds.

“Everyone who is here knows my story and what I’ve done at 122 pounds. I’m going to do the same at 118 pounds,” said Rigondeaux a former world titlist at 122. “Casimero is no exception. He is just standing in my way.”

Casimero said that Rigondeaux blocks his path toward mega fights with Nonito Donaire and Naoya Inoue.

“I’ve stopped my last six opponents and Rigondeaux is next,” said Casimero. “He’s finito.”

Others on the TGB card will be Gary Antonio Russell versus Emmanuel Rodriguez; Rau’shee Warren versus Damien Vazquez; Brandun Lee versus Ezequiel Fernandez and Juan Carlos Payano versus Raymund Tabugon among others.

Fights to Watch

Sat. DAZN 3 p.m. Vergil Ortiz Jr. (17-0) vs Egid Kavaliauskas (22-1-1).

Sat. ESPN Joshua Franco (17-1-2) vs Andrew Moloney (21-1).

Sat. Showtime 7 p.m. Guillermo Rigondeaux (20-1) vs Joel Riel Casimero (30-4).

Check out more boxing news on video at the Boxing Channel

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