KO Artist Amilcar Vidal Wants to Make History Against "The Hunter" Ortiz Saturday

By Carlos Costa

In a momentous day for Uruguay boxing, KO Artist Amílcar Vidal (11-0, 10 KO’s) headlines a primetime boxing show in the U.S. facing tough undefeated Texan Edward “The Hunter” Ortiz (11-0-2, 4 KO’s) Saturday in a 10-rounder non-title middleweight rumble at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the famed venue of big boxing shows during the last 20 years.

It will be the first time since the late 1970’s that a fighter from Uruguay headlines a boxing show in the United States. At that time, Uruguay heavyweight Alfredo Evangelista did it in his world title battles against boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes.

Evangelista was the side B in those historic fights. But Vidal will not be side B on Saturday, as the young hard-swinging Uruguayan appears as the slight favorite.

In order to get the best preparation possible, the Uruguayan puncher Amilcar Vidal, together with his brother and coach Richard Vidal, trained for more than a month in Coachella, California, at a home/gym recently built by Sampson Lewkowicz.

Sampson’s facility in Coachella is a comfortable training place for five boxing people, currently managed by trainer Freddy Fundora, the father of undefeated super welterweight Sebastián “La Torre Infernal” Fundora (15-0-1, 10 KO’s).

During the official weigh-in at the Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles, located opposite the Staples Center, the slugger Amilcar Vidal scaled-in at 161.8 pounds, while “The Hunter” Ortiz made 163 lbs.

The 24-year-old Vidal – handled by Sampson Boxing – risks his unbeaten record as well as his ascent in boxing against the also undefeated Edward Ortiz, a glory-hungry warrior from San Antonio, Texas.

Ortiz, 28, will not be an easy prey for Amilcar Vidal. Far from that as the Texan has waged boxing wars since a young age, becoming an outstanding amateur boxer. Ortiz, who can boast more than 200 tough fights in his amateur record, is 100% focused on scoring the win.

Among other achievements, in 2015 the 6′ 2″ Ortiz won gold in the U.S. national amateur championship held in Spokane, Washington.

Edward “The Hunter” Ortiz had his pro debut in April of 2016. His latest combat was last August 22, in which he defeated Georgia’s Antonio Todd (7-4, 4 KO’s) on points in Los Angeles. “The Hunter” has never lost has a pro. Will his good trend continue?

Meanwhile, the promising Uruguay fighter Amilcar Vidal hasn’t fought since last January when he disassembled then unbeaten Mexican Leopoldo Reyna (9-1, 4 KO’s) in one round at the Radisson Hotel in his native Uruguay.

What will transpire for fans? Will the heavy-handed Amilcar Vidal viciously stop the bearded Texan “Hunter” to elevate his record to 12-0, 11 KO’s, improving his slugger image in the U.S, as well as boosting his standing in the middleweight boxing scene?

Or will the laser-focused Texan Edward Ortiz hunt him down, spoiling his U.S. headlining debut? “It’s hunting season,” says Ortiz.

In the co-feature, unbeaten Nigerian cruiserweight Efetobor Apochi (9-0, 9 KO’s) will look for his 10th consecutive knockout win when he battles Jersey City’s Joe Jones (11-2, 8 KO’s).

The hard-hitting Apochi weighed-in at 199 pounds, while the American Jones came-in 7 pounds lighter at 193. Both men pack explosive firepower. Who will prevail?

Saturday’s Staples Center card airs live in the U.S. on Fox Sports FS1 at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT; while Canal TyC Sports and ESPN will televise it for Latin America at 10 pm Argentina / 8 pm Mexico / 8 pm Panama.