Oscar De La Hoya predicts a thrilling performance from WBC interim junior middleweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. on February 22nd, as he faces off against the formidable Israil Madrimov in Riyadh. Despite Ortiz Jr.'s grueling battle with Serhii Bohachuk last August, where he was knocked down twice, De La Hoya remains confident that Ortiz Jr.'s strategic prowess will help him overcome Madrimov's power. The upcoming fight is part of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 card and promises to be an intense showdown. While Ortiz Jr. has had time to recover from his previous bout, questions remain about whether he can withstand the powerful punches of Madrimov, who has a different fighting style compared to Bohachuk. De La Hoya emphasizes Ortiz Jr.'s intelligence and adaptability inside the ring, predicting that he will steal the show.

Ortiz Jr.'s Road to Recovery and Strategy

Since his hard-fought victory over Serhii Bohachuk, Vergil Ortiz Jr. has been working diligently to recover and prepare for his next challenge. The fight against Bohachuk left Ortiz Jr. battered, having been dropped twice and absorbing numerous heavy blows. This experience has raised concerns about his ability to handle another powerful opponent like Madrimov. However, Ortiz Jr. has shown remarkable resilience and intelligence in adjusting his tactics mid-fight. His corner team has also been instrumental in ensuring he is in peak condition for the upcoming bout. De La Hoya believes that Ortiz Jr.'s ability to adapt quickly will be crucial in this fight.

Ortiz Jr.'s recovery process has been comprehensive, focusing not only on physical healing but also on mental preparation. He has been training intensively to improve his defensive skills and refine his boxing IQ. The team around him has studied Madrimov extensively, noting that while both fighters possess significant punching power, their styles differ significantly. Madrimov is known for his low-output but high-impact strikes, whereas Bohachuk is relentless with his volume punching. Ortiz Jr. must be prepared to counter Madrimov's aggressive forward movement and capitalize on his moments of vulnerability. De La Hoya expects Ortiz Jr. to make critical adjustments early in the fight, setting the stage for a victorious performance.

Madrimov's Power and Style Analysis

Israil Madrimov brings a unique set of challenges to the ring, combining power and tactical acumen. Although he lost his last fight to Terence Crawford by unanimous decision, Madrimov demonstrated his potential to be a formidable opponent. Unlike Bohachuk's relentless high-volume attack, Madrimov employs a more calculated approach with fewer but harder punches. This difference in style means that Ortiz Jr. cannot rely solely on outboxing Madrimov as he did in the later rounds against Bohachuk. Instead, he must find ways to neutralize Madrimov's power and exploit his lower output.

Madrimov's loss to Crawford highlighted some areas for improvement. In the final four rounds, he showed too much respect for Crawford's skills and failed to press the action aggressively. Had he adopted a more aggressive stance, similar to Bohachuk's relentless pressure, the outcome might have been different. Madrimov's hand speed is slightly better than Bohachuk's, but it is his punching power that truly sets him apart. For Ortiz Jr., this means preparing for a fight where every punch counts. De La Hoya anticipates that Ortiz Jr.'s smart fighting style and strategic adjustments will play a pivotal role in countering Madrimov's strengths. If Ortiz Jr. can execute his plan effectively, he stands a good chance of stealing the show in Riyadh.