Boxing
Vergil Ortiz Jr., Antonio Orozco show each other ultimate respect heading into fight
Saturday's battle between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Antonio Orozco on DAZN is expected to be hotly contested affair. Ortiz's star is rising each time he steps through the ropes, and just two fights ago, Orozco lost a WBC junior welterweight title bout to current unified champion Jose Ramirez. With the stakes high in this crucial welterweight attraction, you'd expect tensions to be high as well, and the trash talk flowing back and forth heading into Thursday's final press conference. Think again.
Orozco (28-1, 17 KOs) spoke first on the dais. He showed respect to what the 21-year-old has accomplished in a short amount of time and vowed it would be a fight people will not want to miss.
"We know what a tremendous fighter Vergil Ortiz is," Orozco said. "Everyone knows my style of fighting, and it’s just a fight you don’t want to miss."
ORTIZ VS. OROZCO: Full card and streaming information
Ortiz (13-0, 13 KOs) came up next and was complimentary of what Orozco brings to the ring.
"Antonio Orozco is a very tough opponent," Ortiz said. "I’m not taking him lightly at all. He deserves all the respect in the world, especially in that ring."
A victory against Ortiz not only raises the 31-year-old from Mexico's profile but inches him closer to securing another title opportunity in a different weight class.
"This is a great opportunity, not just for myself, but for him, putting us both at a world title shot once again," Orozco said. "It’s definitely a big fight for myself and looking for that victory on Saturday night."
Orozco poses the stiffest foe to date for Ortiz, who understands the significance of this weekend's fight — Orozco is the litmus test he needs to see if he can live up to the hype that those in boxing have placed on him.
"I’m not here to mess around," Ortiz said. "Golden Boy (Ortiz's promotional team) has given me some tough fights. I’ve passed them with flying colors.
"We both come prepared for this fight. It’s sink or swim. Thank god I’m a good swimmer."
MORE: Ortiz's ascension up boxing ranks fueled by father's sacrifices
