Ortiz Jr. on the Fight Against Madrimov
Vergil Ortiz Jr., the undefeated WBC interim junior middleweight champion, is set to face Israil Madrimov this Saturday, February 22nd, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Both fighters are coming off losses, but Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 KOs) believes that Madrimov will be particularly desperate to win. "He’s coming off a loss. So, he’s going to want to try and prove that he’s still in the mix," Ortiz Jr. said to iFL TV. Ortiz Jr. isn’t giving Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs) much credit, which is a common tactic to keep his own confidence high. While Madrimov’s loss to Terence Crawford was close, Ortiz Jr. sees it as a clear victory for Crawford. The fight is a significant one for both, as they aim to reassert their positions in the boxing world.
Madrimov’s Recent Loss to Crawford
Israil Madrimov’s loss to Terence Crawford on August 3rd last year was a closely contested bout. The judges’ scores of 115-113, 116-112, and 115-113 favored Crawford, but it was a fight where Madrimov showed resilience and skill. Ortiz Jr., however, is quick to downplay Madrimov’s performance. "Terence beat him. It wasn’t really competitive to me. It was a competitive fight, but I didn’t think he won," Ortiz Jr. stated. Despite this, Madrimov will be motivated to improve and prove himself, especially after a tough loss. He will likely focus on throwing more punches and sharpening his techniques to outperform his previous showing.
Ortiz Jr.’s Ambitions and Strategy
Vergil Ortiz Jr. is not just focused on the immediate fight; he has his sights set on unification. "I want to win just as much as he does. I come in to win all the time. Hopefully, be unified in 12 months," he said, outlining his goals for the next year. Ortiz Jr. is known for his aggressive style and ability to land powerful punches. He will be using this fight to further establish himself as a dominant force in the junior middleweight division. Madrimov, on the other hand, will be trying to improve on the areas that cost him the Crawford fight, particularly his punch volume and defensive strategies.
The Undercard and Main Event
The fight between Ortiz Jr. and Madrimov is part of the undercard of the highly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. The event will be shown live on DAZN PPV, providing a platform for both fighters to showcase their skills to a global audience. Ortiz Jr. is excited about the opportunity and is confident in his abilities. "It’s a good fight. I think there are weight classes for a reason. I got Canelo," he said when asked about his pick for the September 13th fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford. Ortiz Jr. believes Crawford will use a defensive strategy, similar to Floyd Mayweather, to frustrate Canelo and secure a win.
Crawford’s Future and Ortiz Jr.’s Next Moves
When asked about the possibility of facing Crawford, Ortiz Jr. is pragmatic. "Of course, but I don’t know if that fight will happen. In the past, I heard it was the Canelo fight, or he’ll retire. Once he gets the Canelo fight, is he going to retire?" Ortiz Jr. hypothesizes that after the lucrative Canelo fight, Crawford might be less inclined to return to the junior middleweight division to face him. The financial and physical toll of such a grueling fight would likely deter Crawford from seeking another challenging bout. Ortiz Jr. is prepared for whatever comes his way, but he acknowledges the practicalities of the boxing world.
The Road Ahead
Vergil Ortiz Jr. is on a mission to become the unified champion in the junior middleweight division. His upcoming fight with Israil Madrimov is a crucial step in that journey. Both fighters are determined to win, but Ortiz Jr. is confident in his abilities and his strategy. The fight will be a test of their skills and resilience, and it will undoubtedly provide exciting moments for boxing fans. As Ortiz Jr. looks to the future, he remains focused on his goals and is ready to face any opponent who stands in his way. The road to unification is challenging, but Ortiz Jr. is ready to take it one fight at a time.
