Ortiz will change weight category

Virgil Ortiz (19-0, 19 KOs) will change the weight category and move to the second welterweight. This was announced by his promoter Oscar De La Hoya. The decision to change weight was dictated by the health problems of an American who had problems with cutting to the welterweight limit.

“He is strong and physically big. There is no point in letting him strain his body any more. Welterweight would suit him much better,” said the head of Golden Boy Promotions.

On Saturday, at a boxing evening in San Antonio, a boxer from the United States was supposed to fight for the WBA regular belt with Eimantis Stanionis, but yesterday he lost consciousness and was hospitalized. Ortiz is expected to take at least 60 days off from training.