Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov: Fight Breakdown, Keys to Victory, and Predictions

 

On February 22, 2025, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, two explosive super welterweights will collide for the WBA Super Welterweight World Championship as Vergil Ortiz Jr. takes on Israil Madrimov. This bout is one of the most anticipated fights of the night, with both fighters seeking to solidify themselves as the dominant force in the 154-pound division.

Ortiz, an undefeated knockout artist, is stepping up against Madrimov, a tricky and awkward opponent with elite-level skills. This fight is a classic battle of power versus precision. Who will prevail? Let’s break down both fighters, their strengths and weaknesses, and how they can secure victory.

---

Fighter Profiles & Background

Vergil Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 KOs)

• Age: 26
• Height: 5’10” (178 cm)
• Reach: 70” (178 cm)
• Stance: Orthodox
• Last Fight: Majority Decision win over Serhii Bohachuk (Aug 2024)

Ortiz is one of the most exciting young stars in boxing today. With an almost perfect knockout ratio, he’s a relentless pressure fighter who applies non-stop aggression. He started his career at welterweight, but his move to 154 pounds has proven to be a smart decision, as he looks stronger and more durable at the higher weight.

However, his last fight against Bohachuk exposed some vulnerabilities. While he got the win, he suffered two knockdowns and had to dig deep to come back. That raises the question: can he handle the movement and awkward angles of a fighter like Madrimov?

---

Israil Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs)

• Age: 30
• Height: 5’9” (175 cm)
• Reach: 69” (175 cm)
• Stance: Orthodox
• Last Fight: Unanimous Decision loss to Terence Crawford (Aug 2024)

Madrimov is a highly skilled Uzbek fighter with an amateur background and a diverse offensive arsenal. While his record may not be as flashy as Ortiz’s, he has fought elite-level competition, including his most recent loss to Terence Crawford, where he put up a solid effort against the pound-for-pound great.

His unorthodox movement, elite counterpunching, and ability to switch angles make him a tough challenge for aggressive fighters. However, he lacks the power to keep a relentless pressure fighter like Ortiz off of him, which could be a major factor in this fight.