Trainer Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis has raised some serious concerns about Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s readiness to face Terence Crawford next based on his recent performance against Sergii Bohachuk. Bozy believes that Vergil’s tendency to load up on his punches in search of knockouts is a major flaw in his game. Additionally, the fact that he becomes too emotional after taking a hit could be exploited by a skilled fighter like Crawford. These observations were reinforced by Ryan Garcia, who pointed out that Vergil always wants to fire back immediately after being hit, leaving him vulnerable to counterattacks.
According to Bozy, Vergil Ortiz Jr. is a basic slugger with no bells and whistles in his game. His approach involves coming forward aggressively, absorbing a significant amount of shots, and trying to take out his opponents as quickly as possible. Against high-level competition like Crawford, who excels against limited fighters, this style could pose serious problems for Vergil. His recent bout against Bohachuk, who was his first A-level opponent, did not showcase his best performance, raising doubts about his ability to handle elite competition.
While there is rumored interest from His Excellency Turki Alalshikh in setting up a fight between Terence Crawford and Vergil Ortiz Jr., doubts remain about Vergil’s readiness for such a challenge. Despite expressing his desire to face Crawford, Vergil has shown no interest in granting Bohachuk a rematch to address the controversy surrounding their previous fight. Bozy believes that unless Crawford’s skills decline significantly in the next six months, Vergil is likely to struggle against him. Given Crawford’s reputation and popularity, he would be favored to win decisively in such a matchup.
In Bozy’s view, Vergil’s aggressive style and tendency to seek knockouts could work against him in a fight with Crawford. While Vergil has demonstrated an ability to absorb punishment and keep fighting, Crawford’s skills as a counter-puncher could prove decisive. Bozy predicts that Crawford has the potential to stop Vergil, despite his resilience, due to his superior technique and ring IQ. Additionally, Vergil’s habit of getting emotional and deviating from his game plan when under pressure could play into Crawford’s hands.
Bozy suggests that Vergil needs to prioritize boxing skills over raw power and aggression if he hopes to succeed at the highest level. Advocating for a more strategic approach centered around utilizing his jab and avoiding unnecessary risks, Bozy believes that Vergil’s current style is too one-dimensional to effectively compete with elite fighters like Crawford. By focusing on smart boxing tactics and discipline, Vergil could potentially refine his game and become a more well-rounded fighter in the future.
While Vergil Ortiz Jr. possesses significant talent and potential, there are clear areas of improvement that need to be addressed before he can be considered ready for a fighter of Terence Crawford’s caliber. By addressing his tendency to load up on punches, emotional responses to adversity, and limited boxing skill set, Vergil could enhance his chances of success in the ring against top-level competition. Only time will tell whether Vergil can make the necessary adjustments and elevate his game to meet the challenge posed by fighters like Crawford.