Days After Tony Weeks’ Controversial Stoppage, Nevada State Athletic Commission Issues a Statement

Returning to the ring after a hiatus since August 2022, Vergil Ortiz Jr. showcased dominance by knocking out Fredrick Lawson in the first round itself. Ortiz (25) cornered Lawson, launching a series of powerful combinations that ultimately led to referee Tony Weeks halting the fight at 2:30 of the round. While Ortiz felt the stoppage was in Lawson’s best interest, critics argue that Weeks might have acted too swiftly.

This result has caused a great debate amongst the fans with each fan holding their own about the stoppage. As the controversy continues to flare up, the Nevada Commission has come out with a statement after the referee’s claims regarding his decision to stop the fight.

Tony Weeks makes surprising claims, Nevada Commission responds

Initially, referee Tony Weeks mentioned he saw Lawson’s eyes roll back, justifying his decision to stop the fight. However, Weeks later clarified on Facebook with a startling revelation: Lawson had a pre-existing brain issue. Weeks stated, “What the public didn’t know that prior to the fight they did a brain scan on him, and it came up that he had an aneurysm, and they did a test again and the same aneurysm came up.” This information played a pivotal role in Weeks’ decision to halt the bout, prioritizing Lawson’s safety.

In response first, Golden Boy, pointed out that Lawson was cleared by a Nevada State Athletic Commission-sanctioned doctor. And now the commission has issued an official statement addressing the situation. They stated, “The health and safety of the unarmed combatants that compete in the State are paramount to the Commission.”

They pointed out, “All contestants in the event were subject to full medical examinations and were cleared by medical experts to compete without restrictions.” However, one thing that the fans also took note of was that they didn’t address the referee’s claims about Lawson having an aneurysm. Nonetheless, with the victory Ortiz has proven himself with the victory as he looks for a shot at Tim Tszyu for a potential bout.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs Tim Tszyu next?

Vergil Ortiz Jr., after his recent knockout win, eyes a title shot against WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu. However, doubts linger regarding the timing. Promoter Oscar De La Hoya seems cautious, possibly to avoid exposing Ortiz Jr. to undue risks. Comparisons with Canelo Alvarez arise, but Ortiz Jr.’s health concerns and lack of certain skills raise eyebrows.

Tszyu welcomes the challenge, stating, “You, Vergil Ortiz Jr., Welcome to the 154 club. I’m always keen for a modern-day classic.” Ortiz Jr. shows enthusiasm, replying, “I knew you would be, man. Let’s do it.” Yet, facing Tszyu now might be premature for Ortiz Jr., especially given his opponents’ caliber to date.

Read More: Following Stunning Victory, Vergil Ortiz’s Trainer Discusses Potential Move-In Weight Divisions While Detailing What’s Next for World Champion

What do you think about the potential match-up between the two? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.

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