Eimantas Stanionis vs Vergil Ortiz Jr Preview July 8th, 2023
UPDATE: This fight has been called off to to Ortiz’s medical condition
Unbeaten WBA World Welterweight Champion Eimantas Stanionis of Lithuania defends his belt for the first time when he meets undefeated Vergil Ortiz Jr of Dallas, Texas in San Antonio, Texas this Saturday, July 8th. The 12-round bout can be seen on DAZN in most nations. Stanionis beat Radzhab Butaev by split decision in April, 2022 to win the title while Ortiz last fought in August when he stopped Michael McKinson in the ninth round to retain the WBO International Welterweight Crown.
**Watch live on DAZN this Saturday. Your first month is free.
Stanionis vs Ortiz Jr Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Eimantas Stanionis +275
- Vergil Ortiz Jr -375
My Pick
Stanionis is 28 years old with an aggressive style and better-than-average power in his punches. He possesses a perfect record as he enters the contest at 14-0 with 9 Ko’s. He made his pro debut in 2017 and has boxed 86 rounds since with a current knockout ratio of 60 per cent but has gone the distance in his last two wins. Stanionis stands 5-feet-8-inches tall with a wingspan of 68 inches and has fought all of his pro contests in America.
He enjoyed a fine amateur career as he boxed at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he went 1-1. His biggest win of course was over Butaev and he also has victories over Thomas Dulorme, Justin DeLoach, Julio Cesar Sanchez, Janer Gonzalez and Samuel Figueroa. Stanionis faced veteran Luis Collazo in August, 2021 with the bout being called a no-contest in the fourth round after Collazo suffered an accidental head butt.
The 25-year-old Ortiz Jr is one of the hottest prospects in boxing right now as owns a perfect record of 19-0 with 19 Ko’s. His 100 per cent knockout record means he’s a feared puncher with excellent power. Ortiz turned pro in 2016 and has boxed just 69 rounds since because of that power. Before that he enjoyed a fine amateur career by winning National Silver Gloves Titles from 2012 to 2014. He also won a National Under-17 Crown in 2013 and placed second a year later. In addition, he placed second at the 2016 National Golden Gloves Championships.
As a pro, Ortiz has also captured the vacant NABF Junior Super Lightweight Title and something called the World Boxing Association Gold World Welter Title. His biggest wins have been against McKinson, Egidijus Kavaliauskas, Maurice Hooker, Samuel Vargas, Brad Solomon, Antonio Orozco and Mauricio Herrera. He was also the first man to stop Herrera. Ortiz has also beaten the likes of Jesus Alvarez Rodriguez, Juan Carlos Salgado, Roberto Ortiz and Jesus A Valdez Barrayan. Ortiz, who trains with Robert Garcia, stands 5-feet-10-inches tall and owns a 70-inch reach which gives him a two inch height and reach advantage on Stanionis.
Prediction…
Ortiz and Stanionis are both unbeaten but neither has really faced a legitimate elite boxer as of yet although they’ve each had a couple of stiff tests so far. In addition, both have power and solid chins with plenty of amateur experience. This is a close call though as it could go either way including a draw but I give the edge to Ortiz due to his overall power and the arguably stiffer opposition he’s fought as a pro. He’s also fighting in his home state of Texas.
This is a pretty even matchup but Ortiz Jr is bigger with more power.
Play Ortiz Jr -375 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Eimantas Stanionis betting • Vergil Ortiz Jr betting