Trainer Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis has expressed doubts about Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s readiness to face Terence Crawford next. According to Bozy, Vergil tends to load up on his punches too much, focusing excessively on knockouts, and he struggles to maintain composure after receiving hits. Even Ryan Garcia, who faced Vergil Ortiz Jr. in the amateurs, noticed these tendencies, emphasizing that Vergil has a tendency to load up on his shots and immediately seek retaliation after taking hits.
Limitations in Vergil’s Game
Bozy further elaborated that Vergil is essentially a slugger with limited variability in his fighting style. He tends to engage in slugfests, absorbing significant punches while aiming to knockout his opponents. In his recent bout against Sergii Bohachuk, his first against a high-caliber fighter, Vergil failed to impress, leading to concerns about his ability to compete against elite fighters like Crawford.
Despite Vergil’s expressed desire for a matchup with Crawford and his dismissal of a potential rematch with Bohachuk, doubts linger about his preparedness for such a high-stakes fight. Bozy emphasized that Vergil’s performance against Bohachuk was far from sufficient to go up against a seasoned fighter like Crawford, who excels against relatively straightforward opponents like Vergil.
Potential Outcomes
Bozy outlined the potential risks for Vergil in facing Crawford, highlighting the significant punishment he endured in his last fight and the likelihood of Crawford dominating the match. The prospect of facing Crawford may present financial gains for Vergil, but it also raises concerns about his ability to withstand the challenges posed by a fighter of Crawford’s caliber.
Bozy advised Vergil to focus less on seeking knockouts and instead prioritize strategic gameplay. He emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline in the ring, especially when facing a skilled counter-puncher like Crawford. Bozy warned against Vergil’s tendencies to engage emotionally in fights, as Crawford could exploit such vulnerabilities to secure a victory.
The concerns raised by Bozy Ennis shed light on Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s current standing in the boxing world. While Vergil’s ambition to face top-tier fighters is commendable, there are legitimate questions about his readiness to take on someone of Crawford’s caliber. Moving forward, Vergil may need to address his fighting style and develop a more strategic approach to ensure his success in the ring. Only time will tell if Vergil is truly prepared to face the formidable challenge posed by Terence Crawford.