Terence Crawford and Vergil Ortiz might face each other in the ring soon. Both fighters hold titles in the super-welterweight division, setting up a potential clash.
Crawford, known as 'Bud', currently holds the WBA super-welterweight belt. He won it in August with a unanimous decision victory over Israil Madrimov. This title adds to his impressive collection, which includes championships at lightweight, and undisputed status at both super-lightweight and welterweight.
On the other side, Ortiz grabbed the WBC interim super-welterweight title in August. His win against Serhii Bohachuk came with some controversy, as he took a unanimous decision that many questioned. Ortiz isn't resting on his laurels, though. He's set to defend his belt against Israil Madrimov in February in Saudi Arabia.
Former opponent of both fighters, Egidijus Kavaliauskas, has weighed in on who he thinks would win this potential matchup. Kavaliauskas, nicknamed 'Mean Machine', has first-hand experience with both men. Crawford stopped him in nine rounds in December 2019, while Ortiz finished him in eight rounds in August 2021. These are Kavaliauskas' only two losses in his career.
In a recent interview, Kavaliauskas shared his thoughts on the potential fight:
"I would back Vergil Ortiz. I think he's the winner in that fight and would beat Crawford. Maybe with a stoppage because he's an aggressive and powerful guy. With that aggression and power he's a dangerous man. He's a stronger boxer."
Kavaliauskas believes Ortiz's aggression, power, and strength give him the edge over Crawford. However, it's worth noting that respected analyst Teddy Atlas has a different view, favoring Crawford in this hypothetical matchup.
As both fighters continue to make waves in the super-welterweight division, fans will have to wait and see if this exciting matchup comes to fruition. With their impressive records and contrasting styles, a Crawford-Ortiz fight would certainly be one to watch.
