Crawford’s chief second says Vergil Ortiz is easy work!
Well before welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr (18-0, 18 KO’s) stepped in the ring with Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas (22-2-1, 18 KO’s), comparisons were being made. The two recently fought in the main event of a DAZN telecast. Ahead of the bout, the Lithuanian’s lone professional loss came at the hands of WBO 147-pound champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (37-0, 28 KO’s).
Crawford has been the very open and public target of Ortiz. Armed with his #1 (WBO) ranking, Ortiz versus Bud is a very real potential fight. So, for all these reasons the boxing populace wanted to see how the Texan would handle himself with Crawford’s vanquished opponent. In all honesty, Vergil Ortiz performed in commendable fashion against the Mean Machine. Unlike Crawford, Ortiz opted to box Kavaliauskas behind his high guard and attack when openings presented themselves.
Despite proceeding in a seemingly more cautious style, Ortiz was able to stop the Lithuanian in the eighth. Bud stopped him in the ninth. Yet, similar to Bud, Ortiz did face some early fight adversity when Kavaliauskas rocked him with a right uppercut in the second round. While he did not go down, he was clearly hurt. He was so hurt that moments later he would throw himself to the canvas after wildly missing a punch. Crawford, too, was struck with a solid blow in the second. Many feel he should have been charged for a knockdown because he went down to the canvas but it was ruled a push.
WHO’S IT GONNA BE??
During the in-ring post-fight interview, Ortiz was obligatorily questioned about his next move and desires. Of course, the subject of Crawford arose and the Texan once again expressed his desire to face him and any other top fighter. Before the end of the broadcast however, it was revealed that Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, Crawford’s chief second, had reached out to the network. He did so to reaffirm Team Crawford’s belief that Ortiz stood no chance.
“Let everyone know that Bud Crawford, if they fight, will knockout Vergil Ortiz Jr!”
It will be very revealing to see who Bud winds up in the ring with next. The fans have long since grown disenchanted with his complete and total lack of worthwhile competition at 147. Thus far, whenever presented with a potential fight with Ortiz, the WBO champion has remained aloof and overly dismissive. This is why Team Crawford would be wise in selecting an opponent that the masses can get behind. Yet, at the same time it’s very clear that Terence Crawford is not moved by what the public is saying.
By: Bakari Simpson
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