Vergil Ortiz Jr. stays perfect with 19th knockout but Michael McKinson made him work

Vergil Ortiz Jr. wasn’t pleased.

The Grand Prairie boxer was back in the ring for the first time in a year Saturday night defending perfect WBO International welterweight record at Dickies Arena.

It may not have been his most dominating performance, but the 6,315 in attendance — most chanting Ortiz throughout — got what they came to see: Ortiz Jr. add to his string of knockouts.

Ortiz Jr. improved 19-0 by defeating British box Michael McKinson with a technical knockout 27 seconds into the ninth round of the 12-round fight. It’s the deepest Ortiz has been forced to go in a bout, and a tribute to the strategy and skill of the previously unbeaten McKinson, who dropped to 22-1.

“I didn’t like my performance, I’m not gonna lie. I was not pleased with it at all, but we only get better from here,” said Ortiz Jr., who recorded his 19th knockout in as many fights.

Ortiz Jr., who had to cancel a fight against McKinson in March because of an illness, had to deal with a cut over his left eye after a headbutt in the first round. It may have served as a wake-up call for him.

“I did see a little bit of blood. It was a different feeling,” who had never been cut during a fight before. “It didn’t hurt, which is weird.”

Ortiz landed several punches in the third round, including one that knocked out McKinson’s mouthpiece. But McKinson stayed on his feet and Ortiz settled in for a less-frantic strategy as the rounds mounted. Ortiz, at the urging of his corner, especially is father, started working on McKinson’s body and it proved wise.

“Why aren’t you hitting the [expletive] body,” Ortiz said he was asked during rounds. “I promised to keep hitting his body. He could keep his distance really well. The guy can move, he’s a very elusive fighter.”

McKinson, a left-handed boxer, said his pride was a bit damaged with his first loss, but took solace in receiving cheers from Ortiz’s hometown crowd after putting up an admirable fight.

The three judges had Ortiz winning 78-73, 80-71, and 80-71 on their scorecards.

“I was heavily booed coming into the ring, but I loved it,” he said. “All the way through the fight there was never a time that I felt that I was going to be stopped. I thought I was going to take him in points and be the first person to end that knockout streak. He’s a helluva fighter. I hope he goes on to win titles in multiple weight classes.”

That’s exactly what Ortiz Jr. has in mind.

“I feel like I’m ready for a world title shot, he said. “I know I can do 100 times better. I’m not saying I got an F, but there’s a lot of room for improvement. I know I’m going to be mad watching this later on tonight.”

Dallas’ Maurice Hooker loses decision

Dallas boxer Maurice Hooker lost in a 10-round unanimous decision to Blair Cobbs in a super welterweight bout earlier in the night. Hooker (27-3-3), was knocked down three times in the first couple of rounds but rebounded to take it the full 10 rounds. Cobbs, who is from Philadelphia, twice had to be looked at by trainers after Hooker inadvertently headbutted him, opening a a large cut on Cobbs’ left temple area and another that appeared to have partially closed his right eye. None of it affected Cobbs, however, and the judges may have rewarded him a few points out of pity.

“This wasn’t an easy fight, it was a tougher fight than my last one, and this victory for sure has put me in the top ten rankings,” Cobbs said. “I fought a tougher, heavier fighter. He could box and had an extremely long reach, but today I showed that I can go into deep waters, box, and give fans a show.”