Vergil Ortiz Jr. is already one of the fastest rising stars in the sport of boxing. Ortiz is now hoping a recent change in trainers will help get to the top of the welterweight division sooner rather than later.
Much of Ortiz’s young undefeated career happened under the stewardship of respected trainer Robert Garcia. But recent reports have the prospect jumping ship to join Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia, and other fighters who train under Eddie Reynoso.
Vergil Ortiz downplayed reports that he was leaving the Garcia camp when reports first surfaced. But, Garcia confirmed to online media sources that Ortiz talked to him about the pending departure a month ago.
Some boxing insiders question the timing of Ortiz’s decision. The 23-year-old has looked impressive while stopping all 18 previous opponents. Ortiz is also coming off the most impressive year of his career.
In March, Ortiz took a huge step-up in competition and faced off against former champion Maurice Hooker. Ortiz thrilled boxing fans while earning a seventh-round knockout.
Vergil Ortiz stepped into the ring a second time in 2021, five months later in August. He impressed the boxing world once again with an eighth-round stoppage of Egidijus Kavaliauskas.
Ortiz plans to fight again in January. He has not announced an opponent but is clear on what he wants. Ortiz says he is ready for the top players in the welterweight division. The prospect likes his chances against Terence Crawford or Errol Spence.
Ortiz knows that he is unlikely to get a title fight his next time inside the ring. But he wants it known he is uninterested in “easy” fights.
“A lot of fighters are taking fights that you’re supposed to win,” Ortiz explains. “But your career really isn’t going anywhere.”
Ortiz provides boxing fans a peek into his mindset when he says, “You have to take the fights that are going to make you better. I don’t want to take the easy way.”