Vergil Ortiz Jr’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, says that it’ll be an “early night” for his fighter if Israil Madrimov stands in front of him on Saturday night in their 12-round contest for Vergil’s WBC interim junior middleweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Another Beating?

Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs) is the bigger puncher with either hand, and it plays in his favor if the fight is a phonebooth type of brawl. The last thing Ortiz Jr, 26, needs right now is another war after the beating he sustained in his last fight. He can’t take too many more fights before he’s washed, and he might already be.

Ortiz Jr vs. Madrimov’s fight will be shown live on DAZN PPV at the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol II ‘Last Crescendo’ event.

“Having 22 fights with 21 knockouts, it tells you everything,” said Golden Boy promoter Oscar De la Hoya to Matchroom Boxing about WBC interim 154-lb champion Vergil Ortiz Jr’s fight against Israil Madrimov this Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“So, if Madrimov is willing to stand in front of him, willing to stay in front of him, to stay and fight Vergil Ortiz, I think this will be an early night for Vergil Ortiz,” said De La Hoya.

We still don’t know what Vergil Jr’s last fight against former WBC interim junior middleweight champion Serhii Bohachuk took out of him on August 10th. Vergil Jr. was given victory, but that was no victory. That was a loss in every facet, not just inside the ring.

He’d been beaten to a pulp by Bohachuk, and you could see how he was quitting mentally. The time out with the glove repair after he’d been hurt in the later rounds by Serhii. Vergil Jr. needed saving.

Another War Vergil Can’t Afford

That was a living hell, and Vergil Jr. looked like he’d gotten the worst of it. He was fortunate to be given the win because the boxing world saw him losing that fight.  Ortiz Jr. was beaten at his own game by Bohachuk, out-slugged, knocked down twice, and forced to give up the battle and run from the ninth round.

That was enlightening. For those who have watched Vergil Ortiz Jr. his entire career, it is a surprise seeing him outpunched and forced to flee. He’d met his match.

Wishful thinking, @OscarDeLaHoya 😉

Uzbek Power is different 🇺🇿💪 #OrtizMadrimov #BeterbievBivol2 #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/9lqypOBqVS

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) February 16, 2025