Boxing Picks 2024- Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Fredrick Lawson (January 6th)

Most Boxing fans have to have enjoyed 2023 and all of the big fights that were eventually offered up.

Unifications and Undisputed Champions were produced, while Saudi Arabia's money has just reinvigorated the Heavyweight Division.

More big nights are coming up in 2024 with the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship decided just six weeks into the New Year.

The Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk fight will take place in Riyadh Season and it was expected to be followed by Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder before the Day of Reckoning card changed the plans.

After losing to Joseph Parker, Wilder is out and so Francis Ngannou has now been presented with an opportunity to back up his valiant effort against Tyson Fury by stepping in to take on Anthony Joshua instead. That fight is rumoured to be going down on Friday 8th March with another Heavyweight card loading up for Saudi Arabia, although we will find out much more in around ten days time.

As mentioned, the Heavyweight Division has been reinvigorated by the Saudi money and the same country may provide the funds to make sure we finally have an Undisputed Light Heavyweight World Champion. Dmitry Bivol has played his part, but Artur Beterbiev has to see off Callum Smith next weekend before he can finalise a fight that many fans of the sport have been calling for.

2024 is looking like another solid year and hopefully it will be on in which the likes of Jaron Ennis can push onto the next level and become the star he looks like.

Canelo Alvarez vs David Benavidez would be a big fight that people would tune in for, while there are plenty of big domestic and world level nights that should keep us happy as fans of the sport.

My only worry would be that the very biggest names would rather be inactive and wait for potential Saudi riches to land on their door rather than keeping their careers ticking along- however, some of the early fights that have been signed off and some of those that are rumoured to be in the making are certainly going to bring some exciting nights together.

Last season was a disappointing one as far as the Boxing Picks went and a far cry from 2022.

A little bit of fortune was missing, but some poor selections were also made in the season. Improving the latter and hoping for better from the former will be the key to having a much stronger 2024, which begins with the return of a huge prospect on January 6th.

Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Fredrick Lawson

Eighteen months ago, Vergil Ortiz Jr won a nineteenth straight professional bout to begin his career and all had been earned in Stoppages as he looked to become a real player in the Welterweight Division.

He was supposed to be in the ring a few months ago, but Ortiz Jr suffered another injury setback and he has admitted that there was some concern that his career could be over.

Vergil Ortiz Jr looked a big Welterweight and some have suggested the weight cuts have been a major factor in the setbacks he has suffered. It has meant a relatively inactive few years and this is going to be just the fifth fight Ortiz Jr has had since December 2019.

This time he will be at Light Middleweight and Vergil Ortiz Jr is set to face Fredrick Lawson, a veteran who fought and won twice in 2023 having been out of the ring since being Stopped in the Tenth Round back in September 2021.

Fredrick Lawson is taking a big step up and the biggest question is how much ring rust has accumulated for Vergil Ortiz Jr.

You have to believe the punch power will still be there even with the move up in weight and Vergil Ortiz Jr will be looking to just remind people of the talent and the excitement that was building around his career.

Activity is going to be key for Ortiz Jr going forward and he should be looking to get another fight on the board before the midway point of this year. He should not have too many problems with Fredrick Lawson and Vergil Ortiz Jr is expected to keep his Knock Out rate going.

The last four wins produced by Vergil Ortiz Jr has seen him break down opponents in the second half of the scheduled Rounds. However, those have also been at a much higher level than this one and Ortiz Jr can get some rust out in the first couple of Rounds before really putting Fredrick Lawson under the cosh and forcing an end before we hear the bell for the Seventh Round.

One of the more controversial World Title bouts in 2023 involved Ismael Barroso when the referee inexplicably Stopped his bout against Rolly Romero.

The 40 year old looked to be on the road to a major upset, but Romero was almost gifted the Stoppage that allowed him to pick up the WBA Light Welterweight Title.

He was supposed to defend that Title against Ohara Davies, but Rolly has been ruled out with an injury and so the British fighter has an opportunity to win this Interim World Title.

Ohara Davies has losses on his record to Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall and it did look like his career was potentially over- he suggested as much himself. He took a bit of time away and has returned with seven wins in a row, including Stopping Lewis Ritson last year to become the Number One contender for this World Title.

Rather than taking money to step-aside, Ohara Davies has pushed for his opportunity and has finally been given a chance. The fight was due to take place last month, but visa issues forced a delay and now Davies and Barroso act as the chief support to the main event.

Ismael Barroso's performance against Rolly Romero has to be respected, but it also depends on how highly you rate Rolly.

Simply put, I don't really do that and his performance was not good enough.

We have seen some poor performances from Ohara Davies, but he has looked highly motivated for this opportunity and he has shown he has the power to break down the older Ismael Barosso.

The latter has some power of his own, but Ohara Davies can outlast him and win the World Title inside the distance.

MY PICKS: Vergil Ortiz Jr to Win Between 1-6 @ 1.66 Sky Bet (2 Units)

Ohara Davies to Win by KO/TKO/Disqualification @ 1.66 Coral (2 Units)