Welterweight contender Vergil Ortiz Jr. has pulled out Saturday’s fight against Michael McKinson in Los Angeles after he was diagnosed with a muscle condition, Golden Boy Promotions announced in a news release Tuesday.
Ortiz has rhabdomyolysis, which is described by the Mayo Clinic as follows: “Rhabdomyolysis is a rare condition in which muscle cells break down and release a substance into the blood that can lead to kidney failure. Most often, it’s seen in people who have suffered major injuries or trauma. Rhabdomyolysis may also develop in response to certain medications, dietary supplements or drugs.”
🚨BREAKING NEWS: Vergil Ortiz Jr. pulls out of fight against Michael McKinson after being diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis. Vergil is recovering well in hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. More information on the March 19 event will be announced shortly. pic.twitter.com/DNa4KOK7hr
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) March 15, 2022
Ortiz is “recovering well in hospital and is expected to make a full recovery,” according to the release. The promoter didn’t speculate about when he might return.
And it provided no information about the status of the event Saturday at USC’s Galen Center. Alexis Rocha was scheduled to fight Blair Cobbs in a welterweight bout on the undercard.
“We wish Vergil a very quick and speedy recovery,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “As fighters, our first instinct is to fight whatever we have and tough it out. It takes a lot of courage to admit that something is wrong and get the care that you need.
“We are confident that we will be seeing Vergil in the ring again very soon.”
Ortiz, who turns 24 on March 25, has stopped all 18 of his opponents. None has gone past eight rounds with him.
The Texan had hoped a victory over McKinson (21-0, 2 KOs) would be another step toward a shot at a major 147-pound title.