Boots vs Ortiz Jr at 154

I think its easy to say Boots wins this going off Ortiz' performance this weekend, but I think that the Bohachuk fight is just the type of fight Vergil needed and the experience that will make him measurably improved the next time out. Vergil made a lot of tactical errors through 3/4 of the fight (loading up, relying on single punches instead of punching in combination, sitting in the pocket and fighting on the line all night, etc, etc). That style is going to get him outboxed by a lot of guys if he can't hurt them. It's tough to know for sure if Vergil's power just didn't carry to 154 or if Bohachuk is just exceptionally sturdy (Vergil hit him plenty), but Ortiz and team must understand now that they are just not going to steamroll the elite JMWs of the world. What Vergil did show was exceptional heart, guts and will in digging out those last few rounds while running on pure fumes. That builds mental strength. He also showed an ability to adapt his tactics (albeit a bit late in the fight) and box effectively to win a round on points when the power punching wasn't working. I think this experience will make him a better, more versatile fighter in the future. I still think Ortiz - Boots is a 50/50 fight, mostly because we haven't seen Boots in a knock-down, drag out fight yet. Despite his flaws, we know for sure that Ortiz has as much dog in him as ever. I would like to see him rematch Bohachuk to set that straight first, but after that, if Boots wants to move up, that would be an excellent pick 'em fight. One small addition: Ortiz is now punching with 10oz gloves, rather than 8oz gloves. Maybe that had something to do with his power not translating the same.

I think its easy to say Boots wins this going off Ortiz' performance this weekend, but I think that the Bohachuk fight is just the type of fight Vergil needed and the experience that will make him measurably improved the next time out. Vergil made a lot of tactical errors through 3/4 of the fight (loading up, relying on single punches instead of punching in combination, sitting in the pocket and fighting on the line all night, etc, etc). That style is going to get him outboxed by a lot of guys if he can't hurt them. It's tough to know for sure if Vergil's power just didn't carry to 154 or if Bohachuk is just exceptionally sturdy (Vergil hit him plenty), but Ortiz and team must understand now that they are just not going to steamroll the elite JMWs of the world. What Vergil did show was exceptional heart, guts and will in digging out those last few rounds while running on pure fumes. That builds mental strength. He also showed an ability to adapt his tactics (albeit a bit late in the fight) and box effectively to win a round on points when the power punching wasn't working. I think this experience will make him a better, more versatile fighter in the future. I still think Ortiz - Boots is a 50/50 fight, mostly because we haven't seen Boots in a knock-down, drag out fight yet. Despite his flaws, we know for sure that Ortiz has as much dog in him as ever. I would like to see him rematch Bohachuk to set that straight first, but after that, if Boots wants to move up, that would be an excellent pick 'em fight.

Not happening anytime soon. Boots still young doe. Jaron Boots is nine months older than Ortiz.

Not happening anytime soon. Boots still young doe.