PREVIEW: VERGIL ORTIZ JR V MAURICIO HERRERA
Rising star Vergil Ortiz Jr. (12-0, 12 KO) will have the opportunity to showcase his talent in the co-main event to Canelo v Jacobs in 10-round welterweight fight Mauricio "El Maestro" Herrera (24-8, 7 KO)
"This will be a big test for Vergil Ortiz Jr.," said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy.
"This young man has all that it takes to become a dominant world champion, so it's only fitting that a prospect like him gets the opportunity to be the co-main event of a Canelo fight."
"At the same time, we know the kind of fighter Mauricio Herrera is. He has a lot of experience and has been in close fights with the best of his division, including what we all know was a win against Danny Garcia."
"If Ortiz Jr. can look spectacular against Herrera, then he will demonstrate what we already know: that he is the real deal."
Since his pro debut in 2016, Ortiz Jr. has an impressive 100% knockout ratio.
"This is a great opportunity for fans all over the world to get to know me," said Vergil Ortiz Jr. "Everyone will be watching this event, so I look forward to showing boxing fans what I'm made of. It's very hard to look good against Mauricio Herrera. World champions have fought him and have looked bad. If I can look good and be the first to ever stop him, then I'll be making a big statement."
Herrera, a former interim WBA World Super Lightweight Champion a veteran of the sport. At 38, he has faced a number of big names at super lightweight division, including fights against Ruslan Provodnikov, Mike Alvarado, Danny Garcia, Johan Perez, and Jose Benevidez Jr.
"Everyone knows the kind of experience that I bring to the table," said Mauricio Herrera."Whether it's against world champions, contenders or prospects, I bring a tough fight to anyone. Vergil Ortiz might have bitten off more than he can chew for this fight, especially now since we are the co-main event. I'm happy for yet another opportunity, and we look forward to stealing the show."
This is a big opportunity for Ortiz Jr, he will want to look good and will go for the stoppage. Don’t forget Herrera hasn’t been stopped by anyone to date, but the impressive performances against Garcia , Perez and Benevidez Jr were back in 2014 , many even though Herrera deserved to get the nod against Garcia which shows what a talented fighter Herrera is, but at 38 how much does Herrera have left ? Of course, an Herrera win and he puts himself back in world title contention but I can’t see anything bar an Ortiz Jr. win Saturday night, Herrera isn’t a big hitter either and hasn’t stopped anybody since Jason Davies 10 years ago so doesn’t have a punchers chance in the fight.
Prediction: I think in Ortiz Jr we have a star in the making, I’m going for a Ortiz Jr win. At 38, against a hungry heavy handed fighter I don’t see Herrera hearing the final bell. For me Ortiz Jr. stops him within 8 rounds.
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