Team Vergil Ortiz Tells Zayas He Isn’t Accomplished Enough
For a brief moment, the boxing world thought we were going to see IBF welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis face interim WBC super welterweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 KO’s). Sadly, this fight would fall through seemingly due to Ennis’s unwillingness. When that potential bout fell apart, 154-pound contender Xander Zayas (20-0, 12 KO’s) was quick to make himself available. To his chagrin however, Ortiz opted to face Israil “The Dream” Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KO’s) on February 22.
Naturally, Zayas was displeased with this choice and accused Ortiz of ducking him. Unperturbed, Ortiz rapidly informed him that his paltry resume is what got him passed over. To salt the wound a bit more, Vergil Ortiz Sr. threw in a dig about Zayas’s own Top Rank promoters feeling he was not up to snuff.
BITTER PILLS
To his credit, Zayas has shown a great deal of evolution during his short stint as a professional. In just his last duel versus Damien Sosa, the young gun demonstrated world class skill and an impressive set of whiskers. At the same time, ranked #1 (WBO), #4 (WBC) and #5 (IBF), Zayas has not yet had his breakout fight. Certainly not one that cuts the line with a fighter positioned as Ortiz Jr is. For Zayas, realistically sniffing out someone at the top of the food chain is new territory.
When it comes to Ortiz Jr. however, the fans have wanted to see him pitted against the division’s elite for the past several years. First during his reign at welterweight and now one division north. This is likely why he and his team have targeted Madrimov.
The Dream just fought and lost a narrow decision to three-division champion and WBA 154-pound champion Terence Crawford. Provided he beats Madrimov in glorious enough fashion, Ortiz Jr. will no doubt call out the boxing phenomenon.
TROUT OVER CATFISH
So, if Ortiz is chasing the division’s most decorated champion, is he wrong for handing Zayas a reservation ticket rather than a fight invite? Does Zayas offer more credibility than either Madrimov or Crawford? That should be easy math in both cases. Like Ortiz told him, Zayas will get his day in the sun; just not today. As for Ortiz, it’s time to see how he fairs with common opponent Madrimov on February 22.
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