Promoter Oscar De La Hoya wants to match Vergil Ortiz Jr against Terence Crawford in 2025 if Vergil wins his next two fights.
De La Hoya says that if Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KOs) who won his fight Saturday night against WBC junior middleweight champion Serhii Bohachuk and defeated Tim Tszyu later this year, could face WBA 154-lb champion Crawford in a 2025 unification bout.
Tszyu is expected to face IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev for his belt. If he wins that fight and Ortiz Jr. winning over Bohachuk, a match between them is possible. However, Tszyu and his management may have other plans.
Fighting Vergil Jr. could be dangerous for Tszyu, especially if he hopes to face Crawford. It's Tszyu's big payday, and he might want to square off against Ortiz Jr.
It's an unnecessary risk for Tszyu, and Ortiz's title will be the interim WBC belt, not the full one held by Sebastian Fundora.
“Crawford, I love him. He is probably the best pound for pound fighter in the world. His style resonates with fans. He is a top class boxer and undefeated,” said Oscar De La Hoya to fight Terence Crawford.
Last Saturday, Crawford moved up to 154. He dethroned WBA champion Israel Madrimov via a twelve-round unanimous decision in the main event of the Riyadh season at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
“He moved up a weight class [154]she met a young man [Israil Madrimov] really strong. Sometimes, you won't look as good as you did in your previous fights, you're fighting the younger ones. That's right. It is a learning process. He should settle down at 154,” continued De La Hoya about Crawford.
Crawford had issues with Madrimov's style and power because he had never fought anyone like that in his career and was coming off a 13-month layoff. He got the win and now holds the WBA title at 154 lb. He just needs three more to become the undisputed junior middleweight champion.
Possible Super Fight
If Crawford has to get past Vergil Ortiz Jr. for him to earn that distinction, it will be difficult, especially if another year passes before he faces the minors. This time next year, Crawford will be 38 years old, and that's ripe for a puncher like Vergil Jr.
“He probably fought the toughest guy ever. He is not a very dangerous person but very strong,” said De La Hoya about Madrimov. “But I think Crawford and Vergil Ortiz next year in the first quarter will be a great fight.
“We hope that if Vergil wins this Saturday, he can compete with Tim Tszyu later this year. Then the winner of Tim Tszyu and Vergil Ortiz will face Crawford,” said De La Hoya.
If it plays out the way De La Hoya wants, Vergil could be the king of the 154-lb division and a new star. Beating Crawford would be tough, but he'll be older next year, and he might not have enough left in 38 to beat Ortiz.
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