Ortiz Jr. Eyes Title Shot After Madrimov Victory
Vergil Ortiz Jr., the WBC interim junior middleweight champion, is setting his sights high following his recent 12-round unanimous decision win over Israil Madrimov on a star-studded night at The Venue in Riyadh. Ortiz Jr. is eager for a title shot and is willing to take on any of the three reigning champions at 154 pounds: Bakhram Murtazaliev (IBF), Sebastian Fundora (WBC and WBO), and Terence Crawford (WBA). While the road ahead is fraught with challenges, Ortiz Jr. is undeterred and ready to make his mark.
Potential Foes
Among the three potential opponents, Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) stands out as the most feasible option, though he is also the most dangerous puncher. Ortiz Jr. (23-0, 21 KOs) would need to adopt a different strategy against Murtazaliev compared to the approach he took against Madrimov. Simply charging forward and trying to out-brawl Murtazaliev would be a risky move, given his punching power. Ortiz Jr. would have to be more cautious and strategic to neutralize Murtazaliev’s explosive offense.
Sebastian Fundora, the current WBC and WBO champion, represents a formidable challenge. Fundora is known for his size and reach, which could pose significant problems for Ortiz Jr. Fundora’s ability to control the ring and keep opponents at a distance would test Ortiz Jr.’s adaptability and ring generalship.
Terence Crawford, the WBA champion, is widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. While Ortiz Jr. is eager to face him, the likelihood of Crawford offering a title shot is low. Crawford is set to face WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez on September 13th. Regardless of the outcome, Crawford is considering retirement or moving up to light heavyweight, making a fight with Ortiz Jr. highly uncertain.
Ortiz Jr.’s Assessment of Madrimov
Ortiz Jr. reflected on his recent victory over Israil Madrimov, expressing satisfaction with his performance. "We just fought a good fight against a great opponent. I’m very happy with my performance," he said to The Stomping Ground. Madrimov, known for his physicality and movement, provided a tough test for Ortiz Jr. The final scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 117-111 reflect a closely contested bout.
When asked about Madrimov’s power, Ortiz Jr. was candid but composed. "He has good power, but it’s not scary. Mean Machine [Egidijus Kavaliauskas] was scary power. I’ll tell you that I don’t like getting hit by him. There hasn’t been another fighter that I’m like, ‘Let me watch out.’ Him [Madrimov] was just like, ‘Okay, I can take this,’” he said. Despite his confidence, Ortiz Jr.’s face showed signs of heavy punishment, indicating that Madrimov’s power was more impactful than expected.
Strategic Adjustments
Ortiz Jr. recognizes the need to adapt his fighting style to face tougher opponents like Murtazaliev, Fundora, and Crawford. "It really wasn’t frustrating because eventually, he’s going to have to fight," Ortiz Jr. said when asked about Madrimov’s movement. "I can fight from the outside, too. It’s not like I’m just a fighter that [plods forward]. I can be that fighter if I want to bully you if he’s not giving me anything and he’s not dishing out anything."
Ortiz Jr.’s ability to fight from the outside is a crucial aspect of his game. His jab and footwork are significant assets that could help him manage the ring against larger and more powerful opponents. "I have a good jab, and I can fight from the outside too. Fighting someone that is moving a lot is not a problem for me," he confidently stated. These strategic adjustments will be essential as he prepares for the next phase of his career.
Future Prospects
Ortiz Jr. is realistic about the challenges ahead, particularly with regards to a potential fight against Terence Crawford. "It really wasn’t frustrating because eventually, he’s going to have to fight," he reiterated. Crawford’s upcoming bout with Canelo Alvarez and his uncertain future plans make a match with Ortiz Jr. unlikely. However, Ortiz Jr. remains undaunted and is willing to take on any available champion.
His victory over Madrimov has bolstered his confidence and highlighted the areas he needs to improve. Whether it’s facing Murtazaliev, Fundora, or another top contender, Ortiz Jr. is ready to rise to the occasion. "If someone is going to give me a chance to fight for a belt, let’s go for it," he said to Ring Magazine. The path to a world title may be steep, but Ortiz Jr. is determined to climb every step.
Conclusion
Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s win over Israil Madrimov has set the stage for a potential world title shot. While the road ahead is challenging, Ortiz Jr. is well-prepared and confident in his abilities. Whether he faces Murtazaliev, Fundora, or another top contender, he is ready to prove his mettle in the ring. With a polished game and a strong will, the future looks bright for this rising star in the junior middleweight division.
