Coach Robert Garcia says Vergil Ortiz Jr. could be too sturdy for former undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford if the 2 meet at 154.
It’s questionable whether or not the 36-year-old Crawford would even be prepared to battle Ortiz as a result of the Omaha, Nebraska native desires two or three big-money fights earlier than retiring.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. = Alfredo Angulo 2.0
The 25-year-old Vergil’s lack of hand pace was arduous to disregard final Saturday evening as he appeared very sluggish. Robert has obtained to have observed how sluggish he’s, however he’s not saying something.
Crawford would have a area day towards a sluggish fighter like Vergil Jr., who reminded this author of Alfredo Angulo. Ortiz Jr. appears like a smaller, weaker model of Angulo. Vergil Jr. will possible run into issues as quickly as he faces a man with midway first rate pace at 154, and at that time, he’ll wind up like Angulo and begin shedding.
Ortiz Jr. is an ideal copy of Angulo. If you happen to had been to recreate a duplicate of Angulo from star to complete, you’d get Vergil Ortiz, which is why he would haven’t any likelihood towards Crawford.
Ortiz Jr. isn’t a sufficiently big identify for Crawford to get the type of cash that he’d like for it to be worthwhile. Robert states that he would really like Vergil (20-0, 20 KOs) to face Crawford, however he would want to win a world title.
Final Saturday evening, Ortiz fought for the primary time in 16 months, stopping Fredrick Lawson (30-4, 22 KOs) by a untimely first-round stoppage on the Virgin Resorts Las Vegas. The referee spoiled Vergil Jr’s battle by swiftly stopping it out of the blue.
Three Fights in 2024
Ortiz, 25, is being moved rapidly in 2024, with the formidable plan of combating three to 4 occasions, with the ultimate battle being for a world title on the finish of the yr towards both Jermell Charlo or Tim Tszyu.
“We’re going to maintain him busy, combating thrice this yr, and considered one of them could possibly be for a world title,” stated coach Robert Garcia to Boxing Social about Vergil Ortiz Jr.
If Ortiz Jr. goes to be as busy as Robert hopes, he must face higher opposition, contemplating he’s not going to enhance combating guys like Lawson and Michael McKinson.
He’s obtained to battle stable contenders, ones which have the type of expertise and energy that may mimic the champions, Jermell Charlo and Tim Tszyu. To prepare for these fighters, Vergil Jr. ought to battle these guys in his three fights:
1. Erickson Lubin
2. Xander Zayas
3. Brian Mendoza
It’s questionable whether or not the Angulo-esque Vergil Ortiz Jr. beats any of these three fighters resulting from his sluggish hand and foot pace. These guys would put fingers on Vergil with the best way he plods ahead face first, and he gained’t final lengthy.
“That will be superior. Terence Crawford is one of the best fighter on the earth proper now, pound-for-pound,” stated Robert when requested about his ideas on Crawford transferring as much as 154.
Vergil Jr. too sturdy for Crawford?
“For me, ever since he was combating for Prime Rank. He had one battle towards Mikey [Garcia] and one towards my nephew; we knew the nice expertise hat Terence Crawford had.
“To be one of the best fighter pound-for-pound on the earth, on my record, it will be an honor to share the ring with him. To share the ring with BoMac. To share the ring with Terence Crawford and BoMac, I’d love that.
“I feel Vergil is just too sturdy for Terence Crawford. Individuals may give me a tough time for what I’m saying, however Vergil is just too sturdy. Beterbiev, however there’s additionally Subriel Matias at 140, who has 19 knockouts in 20 wins, however he has a loss. In order that doesn’t put him at 100% as a result of he already has one loss,” stated Robert.
What Robert isn’t saying is Vergil Jr’s 20 knockouts have come towards pedestrian-level opposition, the whole thing of them. His opponent final Saturday, Fredrick Lawson, was the standard kind that Vergil has been padding his file along with his total profession. Ortiz Jr has been matched in the identical manner that Edgar Berlanga was in his first 16 fights.
“Yeah, Beterbiev and Vergil. I do know Vergil desires 4 fights [in 2024], however I do know, realistically, we’re going to have three,” stated Garcia. “The third battle might already be for a world title. I feel this one after which one other in the summertime, after which we must always get a world title battle in the direction of the top of the yr.
“We need to go for the title. Crawford’s not a champion but. So, he has to come back and decide up a title. [Jermell] Charlo could be my first selection,” stated Garcia on who he desires Vergil Ortiz to battle for a world title at 154.
