Vergil Ortiz Jr. put on a masterclass display this past weekend, securing a unanimous decision victory over Israil Madrimov to retain his WBC interim super welterweight title. The highly anticipated bout, which unfolded at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, saw Ortiz successfully navigate through the initial rounds before implementing his strategy to take control.
With scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 117-111, Ortiz (23-0, 21 KOs) solidified his reputation as one of the top contenders at 154 pounds. Though the final tally might seem decisive, the fight itself was not without its challenges for Ortiz, particularly against the technically skilled Madrimov (10-2-1, 7 KOs), who made the contest competitive early on.
Initially, Madrimov's unique style, characterized by constant movement and awkward angles, posed problems for Ortiz, who struggled to land clean shots. Despite his undeniable skill, Madrimov’s cautious approach left him without the edge needed to win rounds decisively.
"This was expected. We knew what kind of fight it was going to be. He’s a tough opponent, he was there to win,” Ortiz remarked post-fight, acknowledging the challenges Madrimov presented. “I just had to stay patient and not over-throw. I knew I was going to have to be smart and pick my punches."
The turning point came midway through the fight when Ortiz began to press the action. By the fifth round, Ortiz's strategy of targeting Madrimov's body began to pay dividends, slowing down the latter’s movement and shifting the fight's momentum. The statistics highlighted Ortiz's effective pressure—he landed 166 punches compared to Madrimov's 127, showcasing dominance particularly with jabs and power shots.
Madrimov, who has now suffered two consecutive losses, finds himself at a crossroads. His previous match against Terence Crawford was also decided by decision, and now with back-to-back defeats, questions loomed about his future and whether he can adjust his tactics to succeed against top-tier competitors.
"Can he make the necessary adjustments to push himself past some of the best fighters, or will he have to settle for being a test fight more than a legit championship contender?” one expert pondered, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding Madrimov's career path.
For Ortiz, the victory sets the stage for potential future matchups with elite fighters such as Sebastian Fundora, who currently holds the WBC and WBO titles, as well as possibly facing Errol Spence, who has remained inactive since his last bout.
The fight itself was not merely about winning; it represented Ortiz's evolution as he sought to demonstrate his caliber against another formidable opponent. Ortiz's ability to adapt and seize control of the fight after the early struggles was hailed as one of the best performances of his career.
Ortiz's confidence shone through as he made clear his intentions following the fight. "I just want to fight the best. Anyone Turki (Alalshikh) gives me, I’ll say yes. I never duck anybody,” he asserted, indicating his readiness to take on the best challengers at super welterweight.
This bout served as part of the larger card featuring significant matchups, including Callum Smith's unanimous decision victory over Joshua Buatsi, and upcoming fights such as Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol II.
While Ortiz celebrated his victory, Madrimov's future remains uncertain. His herky-jerky boxing style, which has been challenging for many fighters, now needs refinement if he hopes to contend effectively at high levels.
With Ortiz's recent success, boxing fans eagerly await his next steps, potentially culminating in matchups with higher stakes at 154 pounds. The boxing scene looks promising as Ortiz positions himself as one of the best contenders, with ambitions to unify titles and face the sport's elite.