Vergil Ortiz Jr. could return on Benavidez card

Ortiz could finally return after more than a year away

Vergil Ortiz Jr. apparently still has a chance to end a lost year on a somewhat positive note by fighting at David Benavidez's event on December 12. His opponent and weight class have not yet been announced, so the success of his comeback will depend in part on who he faces and in which weight class the fight takes place.

“Per sources, one of the possible spots for the return of Vergil Ortiz is for him to fight on the same card with David Benavidez on Dec. 12. Would put two of the best and most entertaining fighters in boxing on the same show if it is finalized”

Dan Rafael said on X.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. hasn't fought since his bout last November. He was involved in a long-running contract dispute with Golden Boy, and that cost him more than a year of his athletic prime. But it's important to note that he brought this on himself. A preliminary bout in December would show just how much Vergil Ortiz Jr. has lost, or whether he’s still the same fighter despite his inactivity. The sad thing is that, after his last victories, he reportedly even had a real chance to face Jaron Ennis. That opportunity has now obviously vanished completely, and the division has simply moved on without him. The real question now is who he’ll face. If he picks a good opponent, he’s taking a huge risk, but if he fights an unknown boxer and wins, it won’t really do him much good. The event could help Vergil Ortiz Jr. make up for some of that, but it could also cause even more problems if they pick a crazy opponent. What do you think? Do you already have a name in mind?

I think it’ll probably be the unknown boxer. I don’t think he’s quite ready to take a big risk just yet. But I’d be happy to be proven wrong. I’d love to see another good matchup.