Frank Martin Knockout Clip Sparks Vergil Ortiz to Confront Former Schoolmate Over “Blatant Lying”
Vergil Ortiz is in the spotlight again, and not for the reasons he’d hoped. After the highly anticipated bout with Australia’s Tim Tszyu fell through, Ortiz found himself embroiled in a heated social media exchange. The catalyst? An old clip from the 2016 National Golden Gloves showing undefeated Frank Martin dropping Ortiz. The resurfaced footage reignited old tensions, leading Ortiz to confront a former schoolmate on social media.
The Tszyu Fight That Never Was
Ortiz was slated to fight Tszyu on the undercard of Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov on August 3 in Los Angeles. However, Tszyu’s withdrawal left Ortiz searching for a new opponent. Names like Serhii Bohachuk and Ryan Garcia surfaced, but uncertainties abound, particularly with Garcia’s PED issues. Amidst this turmoil, Ortiz found himself tangled in an online squabble that captured public attention.
The Controversial Clip
Earlier today, a Twitter user shared the controversial clip, showing Martin dropping Ortiz with a straight left hand during their 2016 fight at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. Although Martin won the fight by split decision, Ortiz insists the knockdown was due to an accidental trip.
“I know you guys clearly see him step behind my foot and me trip over it as I’m going back. [Y’all] are grasping for straws at this point,” Ortiz tweeted, defending himself against claims of a clean knockdown.
Ortiz wrote on X, “I know you guys clearly see him step behind my foot and me trip over it as I’m going back. [Y’all] are grasping for straws at this point”.
He wrote back, “We all know you don’t like me for whatever reason”.
The Social Media Back-and-Forth
This tweet sparked a cascade of reactions, with one user accusing Ortiz of making excuses instead of accepting his loss. Ortiz fired back, accusing the user of harboring personal biases. The exchange escalated when the user revealed they had attended school with Ortiz, insisting they were merely pointing out facts from the clip.
“I don’t dislike you. We actually went to school together. I’m just calling it what it was. Frank caught you. Nothing wrong with that. It’s the amateurs,” the user responded.
Ortiz’s Response
Ortiz’s response was swift and pointed. He accused his former schoolmate of spreading lies about their past interactions. “The only problem I have with you is that you say lies about me being mean to you in school, but I wasn’t mean to anyone. I don’t care if you don’t support me, but I don’t tolerate blatant lying,” Ortiz retorted.
“The only problem I have with you as that you say lies about me being mean to you in school but I wasn’t mean to anyone lol idc if you don’t support me but I don’t tolerate blatant lying”, Ortiz wrote.
Tszyu’s Withdrawal and the Blame Game
As Ortiz deals with his social media controversies, the question of his next opponent remains unanswered. Tszyu’s promoter, George Rose, pointed fingers at Tszyu’s last opponent, Sebastian Fundora. Tszyu sustained multiple head cuts during their March fight, which many believe led to his current medical issues and subsequent withdrawal.
Rose expressed his disappointment, stating, “We are bitterly disappointed with the setback, and Tim is extremely frustrated after a great pre-camp with Kostya. Ultimately, it was his body and medical professionals telling him he wasn’t ready yet.”
What’s Next for Vergil Ortiz?
Ortiz, despite his undefeated professional record, finds himself at a crossroads. The fallout from the Tszyu withdrawal and the resurfaced Martin clip have placed him under intense scrutiny. His fans eagerly await his return to the ring, hoping he can overcome these distractions and continue his ascent in the boxing world.
Editor’s Note
Vergil Ortiz’s recent turmoil highlights the volatile nature of a boxer’s career. The social media spat and fight cancellations underscore the pressures athletes face both inside and outside the ring. As Ortiz navigates these challenges, his resilience and determination will be critical in shaping the next chapter of his career.
