There are high expectations for Vergil Ortiz Jr. at Golden Boy. The 25-year-old returns to action after a year away from the ring against Fredrick Lawson on January 6. The fight airs on DAZN worldwide.
Ortiz (19-0) made his pro debut in 2016. He has a 100% knockout-to-win ratio. The Texas-born fighter was supposed to fight in 2022, but he suffered from rhabdomyolysis multiple times. He's ready to dominate the competition in a new division. Golden Boy will look to make him a true headliner in 2024 if he can impress on fight night.
"Vergil is ready to come back stronger than ever to become a world champion in this sport," said Oscar De La Hoya. "He’s got the heart and dedication and is on a mission to be a world title holder. I know he will make a statement in this new division against the powerful Ghanaian warrior Fredrick Lawson."
Lawson (30-3) turned pro in 2011 and has won 22 fights via knockout. The Ghanaian is 3-2 in his last five fights and is on a two-fight win streak.
WATCH: Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Fredrick Lawson, live on DAZN
An interim title is on the line, while several top fighters look to impress outside the main event. Here’s a breakdown of the Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Fredrick Lawson undercard.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Fredrick Lawson undercard
Ohara Davies vs. Ismael Barroso
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Davies record: 25-2
- Barroso record: 24-4-2
- Belts at stake: Interim WBA super lightweight title
Ohara Davies and Ismael Barroso compete for the interim WBA super lightweight title. They were going to clash in December, but visa issues on Davies’ end forced the contest off the Ryan Garcia-Oscar Duarte card.
Davies (25-2) turned pro in 2014. The 31-year-old beat Andy Keates in 2016 for the English lightweight title but failed to capture the Commonwealth super lightweight title in 2017 against Josh Taylor. After losing to Jack Catterall in 2018, "Two Tanks" has won seven in a row, his last contest being a knockout win over Lewis Ritson in March.
Barroso (24-4-2) returns to the ring following his controversial loss to Rolando Romero in May. Turning pro in 2005, Barroso fought to a draw in his first pro contest. He won the interim WBA lightweight title by defeating Kevin Mitchell in 2015 but lost to champion Anthony Crolla in 2016.
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The Venezuelan star had his four-fight win streak snapped by Romero in a contest for the WBA super lightweight title. The referee called the contest off prematurely in the ninth round when Barroso appeared ahead.
Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Xolisani Ndongeni
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Barboza record: 28-0
- Ndongeni record: 31-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
Arnold Barboza Jr. faces Xolisani Ndongeni.
Barboza (28-0) turned pro in 2013. He beat Manuel Lopez in 2018 for the NABF junior super lightweight title. The 32-year-old last fought in February 2023, beating Jose Pedraza via a unanimous decision scoring.
Ndongeni (31-3) turned pro in 2010. "Nomeva The Wasp" has primarily fought in South Africa and has competed for local gold. After losing against Prince Dlomo in 2020, he went on a five-fight win streak. That run ended in July, losing against Ernesto Mercado
Raul Curiel vs. Elias Diaz
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Curiel record: 13-0
- Diaz record: 12-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Also on the main card, Raul Curiel faces Elias Diaz.
A 2012 Youth World Championships silver medalist, Curiel (13-0) turned pro in 2017. "Cugar" beat Ferdinand Kerobyan in 2021 for the NABF welterweight title. His last fight was a knockout win in September against Courtney Pennington
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Diaz (12-1) turned pro in 2016. "Ingles" is 2-1 in his last three contests. After losing against Luis Lopez in 2022, he rebounded in February with a win against David Thomas.
When is Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Fredrick Lawson?
Ortiz vs. Lawson is on January 6 and starts at 8 p.m. ET.
| Region | Date | Main Card Start Time | Main Event Ring Walks (approx.) |
| USA and Canada (ET) | Saturday, January 6 | 8 p.m. ET | 11:15 p.m. ET |
| USA and Canada (PT) | Saturday, January 6 | 5 p.m. PT | 8:15 p.m. PT |
| UK and Ireland | Sunday, January 7 | 1 a.m. GMT | 4:15 a.m. GMT |
| Australia | Sunday, January 7 | 12 p.m. AEDT | 3:15 p.m. AEDT |
WATCH: Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Fredrick Lawson, live on DAZN
How to watch Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Fredrick Lawson
| Region | TV channel | Live streaming |
| USA | DAZN | |
| Canada | DAZN | |
| UK and Ireland | DAZN 1 HD | DAZN |
| Australia | DAZN |
The Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Fredrick Lawson fight card will be available via DAZN.
Now available as a Sky channel, DAZN 1 HD is exclusive to Sky.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Fredrick Lawson price: How much does the card cost?
- DAZN monthly subscription: $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $24.99 month-to-month in U.S. / $24.99 per month in Canada / £9.99 in the U.K. on a 12-month contract or £19.99 month-to-month / 13.99 AUD
- DAZN annual subscription: $224.99 in U.S., $199.99 in Canada, £99.99 in the U.K.
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