Vergil Ortiz Jr has staked his claim for a showdown with Terence Crawford just days after ‘Bud’ defeated Mexican icon Canelo Alvarez.
‘Bud’ Crawford put on an impressive display against Canelo at a sold-out Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on September 13 to capture the undisputed super-middleweight world championship and become the first male fighter to achieve this feat in three weight classes.
The three judges at ringside scored the bout unanimously in favour of ‘Bud’, producing scorecards which read 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113, although it has been argued by fans and analysts alike that they should have been a lot wider.
One man who was an interested spectator was unbeaten contender Ortiz, who whilst speaking to Fight Hub TV, claimed that even though he wasn’t surprised with the outcome of Crawford’s historic showdown with Canelo, he admits that he ‘expected better’ from the Mexican icon.
“I wasn’t surprised, I just think I expected a little more [from Canelo], but Crawford did everything that he was supposed to do.”
Prior to this, Ortiz was asked if he would be open for a move up to middleweight to face Crawford in the future.
“Yeah that’s one I would entertain for sure, yeah.”
Ortiz remains unbeaten as a professional since making his debut back in 2016, racking up 23 consecutive victories along the way. He extended his undefeated record back in February when he defeated former WBA super-welterweight champion Israil Madrimov.
The 27-year-old from Texas is due to make his return to the ring later this year as he gears up to make the second defence of his WBC interim super-welterweight title against countryman Erickson Lubin at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on Saturday November 8.
