Terence Crawford gets ready to defend his WBA Super-Welterweight World Title against Vergil Ortiz. The fight will put Crawford's skills to the test against a young, hungry challenger.
Crawford, known as "Bud," has made a name for himself as a pound-for-pound star. At 36, he's still at the top of his game. He recently became a four-weight world champion after beating Israil Madrimov by unanimous decision. That fight marked Crawford's debut in the super-welterweight division.
Before moving up in weight, Crawford held the WBO Welterweight title. He defended it six times and had an impressive streak of 11 straight stoppages. His record now stands at 41 wins with 31 knockouts.
Ortiz, on the other hand, is coming off a controversial win against Serhii Bohachuk. The fight was a real slugfest, with many calling it a contender for fight of the year. It was Ortiz's third win in 2024, pushing his record to 22 wins with 21 knockouts.
Ortiz has faced some challenges in his career, dealing with bouts of illness that slowed his progress. But he's known for his aggressive, powerful style that keeps coming forward.
Both fighters have faced Egidijus "Mean Machine" Kavaliauskas. Crawford stopped him in 2019, dropping him three times. Ortiz managed to finish the job one round quicker in 2021.
Kavaliauskas shared his thoughts on the potential matchup in an interview with Fight Hub TV:
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"I think Vergil Ortiz has more power. The more powerful, stronger guy. I would back Vergil Ortiz, I think he's the winner in the fight. He will beat Crawford … Maybe with a stoppage because he's an aggressive and powerful guy. With that aggressiveness and that power, he's a dangerous man."
The fight promises to be an exciting clash of styles. Ortiz's relentless attack will go up against Crawford's ability to switch stances and adapt. For Ortiz, it's a chance to prove himself against one of the best in the business. For Crawford, it's another opportunity to show why he's considered one of the top fighters in the world.