Ortiz apologizes to fans for pulling out of fight

Virgil Ortiz Jr. due to illness, he was forced to abandon Saturday's fight and has already begun the recovery process. Thus, Ortiz's debut this year is delayed even longer.

The undefeated welterweight provided an update after news he would have to pull out of a scheduled fight with the Englishman Michael Mackinson this coming Saturday in Los Angeles. According to US media reports, Ortiz (18-0, 18 KOs) was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition that occurs when damaged muscle tissue releases proteins into the bloodstream. Long-term effects include kidney or heart damage.

“First of all, I am very sorry and disappointed that I will not be fighting on Saturday,” Ortiz said hours after his withdrawal was first made public. “The preparation went well. Everything worked out for me in sparring and in training in general. But for the last two weeks, I've been feeling out of sorts. I just felt like my body was falling apart and I didn't know why, and it scared me a lot."

“I tried to endure, but when your own body is fighting against you, there is little you can do. Fortunately, my father explained to me that I was wrong and took me to the doctor. We did several tests, and the doctor came to the conclusion that I had rhabdomyolysis.”

For now, the boxing night will take place without Ortiz, although there are fears that the DAZN-broadcast event will be canceled entirely. For McKinson (21-0, 2 KOs), they are still looking for a replacement opponent. The Briton's team has already rejected one offer, but there is another potential option pending approval from the California State Athletic Commission.

“I was hospitalized yesterday and had to spend the night in the hospital. Ortiz addressed the fans. — It could have been much worse, and I am grateful that we noticed it in time. I'm really sorry if I let you guys down. Believe me, if I had a chance to fight, I would definitely go into the ring."

It is also worth noting that, according to other boxing observers, Ortiz simply had problems with cutting weight, and his team, in order not to hit the face in the dirt, tried to quickly come up with a reason for refusing to fight, citing illness.