Vergil Ortiz Jr. may face Keith Thurman on the December 12 David Benavidez card, with Oscar De La Hoya engaged on a struggle to maintain him busy whereas a gathering with Jaron Ennis stays out of attain. Thurman is the proposed opponent, however the deal isn’t completed.
“That’s the speak, to struggle him on the Benavidez card, which might be superior. Think about Benavidez and Vergil Ortiz. … We’re understanding issues with Keith Thurman,” De La Hoya instructed Battle Hub TV.
“It’s not the opponent but as a result of issues are being labored out.”
Requested about Ennis, Oscar made it clear that Thurman wasn’t his first selection.
“I want it will have been the Boots struggle, however look, we will’t maintain our fighter idle for therefore lengthy.”
De La Hoya pointed to Ennis pursuing a struggle with Josh Kelly and Sebastian Fundora having one other opponent. His argument is simple: Vergil wants a struggle, and Thurman is somebody Golden Boy believes can get into the ring with him.
That is smart as a method to maintain Vergil busy. Thurman has a recognizable title, and placing them on Benavidez’s card would give the occasion one other struggle to assist promote it. Golden Boy would have one thing to advertise as a substitute of leaving Vergil ready for an opponent who has different plans.
However holding Vergil energetic and shifting him towards the most effective at 154 aren’t essentially the identical factor. Thurman would give him a reputation for his document, whereas the Ennis struggle would reply way more about how good Vergil is in opposition to one other main fighter within the division.
Oscar repeatedly talked about getting Vergil’s profession “again on observe.” A December look would assist with that, however Golden Boy nonetheless wants to show exercise right into a route towards the larger fights. Thurman might be a helpful cease alongside the best way. He shouldn’t turn out to be an alternative choice to the opponents Vergil must face.
