Negotiations are currently in progress for what could be a thrilling matchup between IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev and Vergil Ortiz Jr. However, it seems the two sides are far from reaching an agreement on the financial terms.
### Financial Gap
Noted sports journalist Dan Rafael has brought to light the ongoing discussions between Murtazaliev and Ortiz Jr. It appears that the financial offer from Golden Boy Promotions, backing Ortiz Jr., isn’t quite meeting expectations. This isn’t entirely surprising, considering Ortiz Jr.’s (23-0, 21 KOs) larger profile and reputation in the boxing world.
Should the fight be confirmed, it will be intriguing to see how Ortiz Jr. approaches the match. Murtazaliev is known for his powerful punching ability with both hands, making him a formidable opponent. Unlike some of Ortiz Jr.’s previous foes, Murtazaliev won’t likely allow himself to be pressured so easily.
Bakhram, boasting an impressive record of 23-0 with 17 knockouts, recently made headlines with his dominant third-round knockout victory over former WBO 154-lb champ Tim Tszyu. This bout, held on October 19th at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, saw Tszyu hitting the canvas three times in the second round and again in the third before Murtazaliev sealed the deal.
### A Brave Pursuit
Recently, Vergil Jr. had tried and failed to secure fights against champions Sebastian Fundora and Terence Crawford. His most viable option seems to be a challenging bout with Murtazaliev, a bold move given the circumstances. Even though it might not be his first choice, it might be his best shot for now, as there’s no certainty either Fundora or Crawford would agree to face him in the ring.
Ortiz Jr., at 26, is riding high after a twelve-round unanimous decision victory over former WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov, which took place on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 clash on February 22nd in Riyadh. Ortiz Jr.’s performance against Madrimov was even more decisive compared to Terence Crawford’s bout with the same opponent last August.
Ortiz Jr.’s strategy involved applying constant pressure, eventually overwhelming Madrimov in the latter half of their fight. However, this tactic may be risky if employed against Murtazaliev, who doesn’t shy away from standing his ground.
In the bout preceding this one, Vergil managed to edge out a tough win via a 12-round majority decision against WBC interim 154-lb champion Serhii Bohachuk on August 10th. That fight ended up being tighter than his match against Madrimov, yet Ortiz Jr. emerged victorious in both encounters, albeit at the cost of taking considerable hits.
It’s clear that if the financial details can be ironed out, this fight will not only be a must-watch event but could also prove to be a defining moment in Ortiz Jr.’s career.
