Home Boxing News Vergil Ortiz Jr and Egidijus Kavaliauskas expecting fireworks on Saturday night

Vergil Ortiz Jr and Egidijus Kavaliauskas expecting fireworks on Saturday night

Vergil Ortiz Jr and Egidijus Kavaliauskas. Photo credit: Golden Boy Promotions/Kevin Estrada

Welterweight knockout sensation Vergil Ortiz Jr 17-0 (17) is expecting a tough challenge from hardnosed Egidijus ‘Mean Machine’ Kavaliauskas 22-1-1 (18) when they meet over 12 rounds at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on Saturday night.

The 23-year-old from Grand Prairie, Texas is coming off an impressive seventh-round knockout of former WBO junior welterweight champion Maurice ‘Mighty Mo’ Hooker 27-2-3 (18) in March.

“I feel pretty good, you know, this is my second time fighting in Texas, I’m the main event and I want to put on a good show,” Ortiz said.

“Everyone has been asking for this fight, our styles complement each other. It’s going to be a good fight no matter what.”

Lithuanian Kavaliauskas, 33, who boxes out of Camarillo, California is also expecting an explosive contest.

“I love boxing, it’s what I love to do,” Kavaliauskas said. “This is going to be a great fight. I know his style and he knows mine, styles make fights. I like that he is a fighter that brings it and I am not surprised he took the fight, he is a warrior as am I.”

Also on the card WBA ‘regular’ super featherweight titleholder Roger Gutierrez 25-3-1 (20) of Venezuela moves into an immediate rematch with Rene Alvarado 32-9 (21) of Nicaragua.

Their first fight in January ended in a razor-thin unanimous decision for Gutierrez who won by scores of 113-112 across the board. Alvarado was down twice in round three and once in round twelve.

“I want to thank god and Golden Boy for the opportunity,” the 26-year-old Gutierrez said. “Being on top is hard, but we always have to be better and get better. We always have to adjust to the next fight and the next fighter… Everyone will have their own opinions about me, but that doesn’t affect me, I am the champion.”

Alvarado, 32, refused to read too much into their first fight.

“No two fights are alike and the difference in this fight is the objective: to recapture the world title,” Alvarado said. “The fight will be a very competitive, I have a lot of self-confidence and faith in god that I will be the world champion once more.”

Nicaraguan junior flyweight Felix Alvarado 36-2 (31) will take on Israel Vazquez 10-4 2 (7) of Puerto Rico over 10 rounds.

“I feel good, thankful to God and Golden Boy Promotions for bringing us back to fight together in the same event,” said the 32-year-old Alvarado who will be boxing on the same card as his twin brother. “I am seeking to make history with my brother, hopeful to bring two great victories for Nicaragua.”

Vazquez said: “I am very excited for the fight, excited to be representing Puerto Rico, the mecca of boxing. I want to demonstrate that I am at a world champion level and this fight, this victory, will do that.”

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