Is Vergil Ortiz Jr ready for Terence Crawford?

By Boxing News - 08/09/2022 - Comments

By Dan Ambrose: Vergil Ortiz Jr did what he had to do last weekend in defeating Michael McKinson in their fight in Fort Worth, Texas.

The 24-year-old Ortiz Jr (19-0, 19 KOs) is ranked #1 WBA & #1 WBO and is in a position to challenge Terence Crawford for his 147-lb title.

If Golden Boy Promotions are still hesitant to put Ortiz in with a Crawford or Errol Spence Jr, it can only mean they don’t believe he’s got the goods to do the job.

What Ortiz doesn’t want is for Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis to get to those belts before him.

“Vergil Ortiz is 19-0 with 19 knockouts after defeating Michael Mckinson, and now the question becomes, is he ready for that title shot? Specifically, is he ready for Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford,” said Chris Mannix to DAZN’s JABS.

“Look, he’s ready for a world title shot. That’s the good news. The bad news is the people who hold the titles are Errol Spence and Terence Crawford,” said Sergio Mora.

“Who am I to tell that kid with 19 wins and 19 knockouts that he’s not ready for Terence Crawford or anyone in the world because he believes in his power, he believes in his skills, and his team believes in him?

“What I think makes no difference, but to answer your, I would say, stay away right now. You’re making so much money. He’s packing the crowd and becoming an attraction here in Texas. Soak that up. That’s how you build a star, and this kid has the power, the following, and the team to be a star. What’s the rush?” said Mora.

“You are the absolute worst because in four years of working together, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that you want to see a big fight,” said Chris Mannix.

“That’s why I’m still here because longevity means more than the big fights at that time,” said Mora. “He’s 24 years old and has a lot of time to mature and get better. He can make a lot of money, and the titles are going to be there.”

“Yeah, the titles are going to be there, but maybe they’re vacant. What does a vacant title even mean?” said Mannix.”I say, ‘yes, bring on Terence Craword and Vergil Ortiz.

“He’s already checked all the boxes to get to this point. He beat the former champion in Maurice Hooker. He knocked him out,” said Mannix.

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