Boxing
Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov: Who has the edge going into the fight?
Watch The Last Crescendo live Saturday on DAZN PPV
Riyadh Season’s The Last Crescendo mega card Saturday night includes Vergil Ortiz Jr. putting his interim WBC super welterweight world title on the line against Israil Madrimov at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and live on DAZN pay-per-view, which can be bought here.
At 26 years old, the undefeated Ortiz (22-0, 21 knockouts) remains one of boxing’s most exciting young stars with another stern test that awaits in a rugged Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs).
Here, DAZN News takes a look at who has the edge going into this pivotal fight: Ortiz or Madrimov?
Boxing
During an interview with DAZN Boxing, Ortiz estimated that he and Madrimov have “a good 12 to 20 rounds sparring” between them.
The reigning interim WBC super welterweight titleholder believes that familiarity could pave the way for a shedding of hesitancy which sometimes accompanies boxers during early rounds of a crucial fight.
If he and Madrimov do set off early fireworks, that could bode well for Ortiz to unleash the power he has become synonymous with.
It will be a difficult task considering Madrimov’s ruggedness and ring IQ which allow him to make clever tactical adjustments. Still, Ortiz still gets the nod here.
Edge: Ortiz
Power
Ortiz touts a sizzling knockout ratio of 95 percent with a tough majority decision over Serhii Bohachuk in August counting as his only victory that had him going the distance.
Terence Crawford, arguably the top pound-for-pound boxer in the sport today, could not manufacture a knockout of Madrimov in his eventual unanimous decision over the Uzbekistan fighter in August. But that will likely not stop Ortiz from trying to finish the durable fighter within the distance.
When it comes to power, Ortiz’s advantage is vast.
Edge: Ortiz
Experience
Madrimov had 12 solid rounds against Crawford, pushing “Bud” to the limit before losing on all three judges’ scorecards.
Prior to that world-class experience, Madrimov did have back-to-back wars with Michel Soro, ending in a ninth-round TKO in his favor and then a draw in their rematch.
One can argue that there is not a more quality experience than going 36 minutes with Crawford and it would be a major sticking point, but Ortiz’s experience includes more rounds with battle-tested opponents.
After all, he had to dispose of former world champions in Maurice Hooker and Bohachuk (interim champ), not to mention quality title contenders such as Thomas Dulorme, Egidijus Kavaliauskas and Antonio Orozco to name a few.
This edge, too, goes to Ortiz.
Edge: Ortiz
Who has the edge in Ortiz vs. Madrimov?
Anyone who pushes Terence Crawford to the limit in 12 rounds of tactical boxing action is a quality contender and that’s exactly who Israil Madrimov is entering this fight.
Still, Ortiz, and the wave of momentum he is riding on, has the edge, 3-0, heading into Saturday night.
Will he deliver another victory and get back to his penchant of knocking opponents out?
We will get the answer on DAZN PPV on Saturday night.
Watch Beterbiev vs Bivol and Dubois vs Parker live on DAZN PPV
Watch Artur Beterbiev versus Dmitry Bivol and the full Last Crescendo fight card, including Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
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