Junior middleweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. was celebrated Saturday by his hometown of Grand Prairie, Texas, during the city’s “Grand Fiestas Patrias” event.
Ortiz (22-0, 21 KOs), who in August bested Serhii Bohachuk to win an interim 154-pound title, formed part of a memorable parade and was joined by dozens of local youth boxers who have been inspired by the local fighter. After the parade, Grand Prairie mayor Ron Jensen and several members of the city council presented a special proclamation to Ortiz for his accomplishments in the ring and his contributions to his hometown.
“This moment is indescribable,” Ortiz said, “I honestly don’t know what to say. I am always going to back the city and back the kids. I will do everything in my power to make sure that Grand Prairie continues to be the best city in the world. I want to make Grand Prairie proud every day.”
Said Jensen: “You have made us proud, Vergil. We don’t know what it takes to accomplish what Vergil has done, and yet he continues to break records and make us proud.”
The cultural event was organized by the Hispanic Heritage Ambassadors DFW, which was co-chaired by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Grand Prairie and co-sponsored by the City of Grand Prairie.