Vergil Ortiz showed improved defense. Joshua Buatsi did not.

[ShoulderRoll]

This is something both of these guys needed to work on after their last fights. But I only saw a difference in one of them.

Not to badmouth Buatsi as I'm impressed with him and think he's got a strong offensive game. But just an observation.

[KTFOKING]

The adjustment Ortiz made was he stopped loading up on his shots and started to pick Kavaliauskas off from the outside before turning it up. Buatsi needs to watch some Spence tape if he's going to fight in that style where he doesn't move his head. Spence doesn't move his head much either but he controls distance very well and takes half steps back when the opponent is throwing. Buatsi leaves his head in the center far too often allowing for the overhand right to land and counter shots to land. Buatsi has a very good jab and needs to stop loading up on shots as well. He will realize soon enough that he isn't stopping the top world class fighters. Even Ortiz has said in interviews that he doesn't think he will stop Crawford or Spence and expects those fights to be hard fought 12 rounders.

Buatsi takes to Hunter's instructions very well though. He takes what is said to him and tries to implement it in the following round. Buatsi just has some bad habits to correct and if he does, he's going to be a tough out for anyone.

[ShoulderRoll]

The adjustment Ortiz made was he stopped loading up on his shots and started to pick Kavaliauskas off from the outside before turning it up. Buatsi needs to watch some Spence tape if he's going to fight in that style where he doesn't move his head. Spence doesn't move his head much either but he controls distance very well and takes half steps back when the opponent is throwing. Buatsi leaves his head in the center far too often allowing for the overhand right to land and counter shots to land. Buatsi has a very good jab and needs to stop loading up on shots as well. He will realize soon enough that he isn't stopping the top world class fighters. Even Ortiz has said in interviews that he doesn't think he will stop Crawford or Spence and expects those fights to be hard fought 12 rounders.

Buatsi takes to Hunter's instructions very well though. He takes what is said to him and tries to implement it in the following round. Buatsi just has some bad habits to correct and if he does, he's going to be a tough out for anyone.

Ortiz also stayed discipline with his high guard all night. It was a noticeable improvement over the wild swinging he did against Malik Hooker.

Buatsi gets hit way too much still. Needs a lot more development in that area, Beterbiev and Bivol would have a field day against him.

[JakeTheBoxer]

Buatsi is not very good. he might never reach world level.

[KTFOKING]

Ortiz also stayed discipline with his high guard all night. It was a noticeable improvement over the wild swinging he did against Malik Hooker.

Buatsi gets hit way too much still. Needs a lot more development in that area, Beterbiev and Bivol would have a field day against him.

Ortiz still has his wild moments but once he started to load up less and jab more, he was so much better. I love Ortiz, one of my favorites and I hope he keeps on progressing. Going to be a fun ride.

As for Buatsi, he needs a few more fights with Hunter before fighting the true elites. Hearn really needs to slow down and listen to Hunter here. He was throwing that shoulder jab like Ward and did some good things but still has more to work on. Beterbiev and Bivol may be too much for him right now, but in a few fights he can give them hell.

[sicko]

BOTH still have a lot to work on Defensively!

[ShoulderRoll]

Ortiz still has his wild moments but once he started to load up less and jab more, he was so much better. I love Ortiz, one of my favorites and I hope he keeps on progressing. Going to be a fun ride.

As for Buatsi, he needs a few more fights with Hunter before fighting the true elites. Hearn really needs to slow down and listen to Hunter here. He was throwing that shoulder jab like Ward and did some good things but still has more to work on. Beterbiev and Bivol may be too much for him right now, but in a few fights he can give them hell.

I mentioned in the round-by-round thread that I would like to see Buatsi get more development fights before he goes after a title. But I don't think Hearn will have the patience to wait too much longer.

[KTFOKING]

I mentioned in the round-by-round thread that I would like to see Buatsi get more development fights before he goes after a title. But I don't think Hearn will have the patience to wait too much longer.

Hearn isn't a boxing guy like that, he doesn't really understand these types of things. He was talking about Josh Kelly beating the likes of Danny Garcia back in 2019 and thought Buatsi could beat Beterbiev during that time as well lol.

Buatsi has been developed poorly thus far but that doesn't mean you just put him in with Bivol or Beterbiev next. Let Hunter get a few more camps with him and then let him in with any of the top guns.