The Big Matchup: Ortiz Jr. vs. Madrimov
This Saturday, February 22nd, the world of boxing is set to witness a highly anticipated clash as Vergil Ortiz Jr. faces off against Israil Madrimov. Promoter Oscar De La Hoya is confident that the key to victory for Ortiz Jr. lies in constant, aggressive pressure and relentless body attacks. Madrimov, a former WBA junior middleweight champion, is known for his technical prowess and elusive fighting style. However, De La Hoya believes that Ortiz Jr. can overcome these challenges by "backing him up" and focusing on body shots, a strategy that worked well for Terence Crawford in his bout against Madrimov last August.
The Crawford Blueprint
De La Hoya’s strategy is informed by the successful tactics employed by Terence Crawford, who, despite being smaller, older, and seemingly weaker, managed to outlast Madrimov in a close 12-round unanimous decision. Crawford’s relentless pressure and focus on Madrimov’s body were instrumental in wearing down his opponent. However, Crawford did absorb significant punishment throughout the fight. The question remains whether Ortiz Jr., who was knocked down twice in his last fight against Serhii Bohachuk, can withstand the same level of punishment without suffering a knockout or multiple drops.
The Pressure Is On
Oscar De La Hoya is bullish on the prospects of the Ortiz Jr. vs. Madrimov fight, predicting it will be the most exciting bout on the DAZN PPV card. "I’m excited for my guy, Vergil and Madrimov. That’s probably going to steal the show if you like action and you like knockouts," De La Hoya said. The fight is expected to be a dynamic and action-packed encounter, with Ortiz Jr. bringing his trademark pressure and power against Madrimov’s technical brilliance. In contrast, the main event between undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol is likely to be a more tactical and less action-oriented affair, with much running and chasing.
The Expert Analysis
Sergio Mora, a respected boxing analyst, has pointed out the challenges Ortiz Jr. faces. "How do you see Vergil Ortiz? We know he brings the pressure, the volume, and the power, but Madrimov is brilliant. How is he going to land those heavy hands on a guy that is hard to hit like Madrimov?" Mora’s question highlights the difficulty Ortiz Jr. will have in landing his powerful punches against an elusive and technically sound opponent. However, Ortiz Jr. has no choice but to stick to his aggressive style and hope that the pressure and body shots can break down Madrimov’s defenses.
Ortiz Jr.’s Strategy
According to De La Hoya, Ortiz Jr. must stick to his usual fighting style of coming forward, applying pressure, and applying relentless pressure. "I look at Madrimov and Crawford. Madrimov was doing something that was confusing Crawford. He was on his toes, moving side to side and giving him angles," De La Hoya explained. "Obviously, Vergil Ortiz’s camp is well aware of that. They’ve prepared for a Madrimov that is going to box and move but also is going to come forward and bang." The key, according to De La Hoya, is to push Madrimov back and focus on his body, as Madrimov tends to keep his guard up and expose his body.
The Final Push
Ortiz Jr. has one clear path to victory: continuous and aggressive pressure. This approach may not be the most elegant, but it is the most likely to succeed against a technically adept fighter like Madrimov. The body shots will be crucial, as they can wear down Madrimov and open up opportunities for more significant blows. De La Hoya’s advice is clear: "So what does Vergil do? I would push him back if I were in Vergil’s shoes because Madrimov cannot fight going backwards. So, I would push him back and just relentless [pressure]. One thing about Madrimov is that when he fights, he fights with his guard up. What’s up is the body, and Vergil to the body is relentless." The stage is set for a thrilling and potentially decisive bout, with the eyes of the boxing world on Ortiz Jr. and his ability to execute this high-pressure strategy.
