Terence Crawford did it again. Another title fight. Another regular win. The American fighter continues to rise in divisions and collect gold. But it’s not about gold anymore; it’s about cementing his legacy, and one shorter route went through Canelo Alvarez. With that off, an alternative route goes through the other three champions at 154. There are other names too, and Vergil Ortiz Jr. is one such name that keeps popping up. You can describe him as a brute force of nature, who has dismantled every opponent he faced in the ring. Will the newly crowned WBA champion meet the same fate?

HE Turki Alalshikh spent the better part of this year helping set up Crawford vs. Alvarez. However, with the super middleweight champion wanting his way with things, that fight is seemingly off, with the Saudi adviser willing to bet his chances on Ortiz Jr instead. So, the question remains. Does the 26-year-old have enough tricks in his bag and enough power behind his punches to outwit and outmuscle ‘Bud’?

Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Terence Crawford: power too hot, skills too polished

What exactly has made Ortiz Jr. a household name? Well, his unblemished record of 21-0 speaks for itself. Besides that, the Texan has ensured none of his foes in the ring hear the last bell. His penchant for knockouts and his ominous and daunting presence evoke a sense of excitement among fans whenever he enters the squared circle. What’s more, Ortiz Jr.’s aggression and power in the ring are things you rarely witness in other fighters. His confidence and preparation used to make up for the difference in skills.

But amid a move up to 154 and a layoff of close to 2 years, the welterweight boxer has improved his skills, and you can’t expect him to win every match, overpowering his competitors. Under the tutelage of his longtime trainer Robert Garcia, he has altered how he approaches the fight, while still keeping his fan-friendly style intact. What about Crawford?

The 36-year-old is coming off a closely contested fight with Israil Madrimov, where he bagged the championship rounds and then the WBA crown. It took him longer to adjust to whatever Madrimov threw in the ring. The Omaha native wasn’t switching stances frequently in the fight and was throwing more, but landing less. It’s a concern for his fans that if he adopted the same game plan against Ortiz Jr., a fighter with an unorthodox stance, the outcome of the fight would have been different. In addition, the likes of trainer Freddie Roach are ready to back up Ortiz Jr. in a showdown between the two. So, can the latter’s power topple a skilled technician like Terence Crawford?

Prediction: Will ‘Bud’ be able to safeguard his zero?

You could argue that Crawford, at 41-0, has the experience and skill to give him an edge. He has enough experience of fighting fighters of all sizes and styles and is well accustomed to the art of adjusting. What he can do is focus on his jab, as his exceptionally longer levers continue to puzzle his rivals. Jabbing and feinting is the way to go as it will disrupt Ortiz Jr.’s rhythm and won’t allow him to employ his own jab. But what will work the most for him is his swift pair of legs and footwork to elude Ortiz Jr.’s attack and then unload heavy counters. Working the body will be the key for the WBA champion. Will that do the job?

You can’t disregard the aging of Crawford and the wear and tear he has sustained over the years. He can surely adjust his strategy mid-fight, adapting to Ortiz Jr.’s movements and tactics. While his adaptability is critical, it might be hampered because you can’t adjust to power. You can expect Ortiz Jr. to put relentless pressure, and resort to high-volume punching to negate the champion’s skills. All that is required is that he comes into the fight with good conditioning.

Despite his exceptional knockout power, he needs to be quick and agile to catch Crawford. However, Ortiz Jr.’s hand speed is not something that attracts eyeballs. Will he be able to improve his speed and how quickly he throws his punches? Will he be mobile and adaptable? Fans will find that out if they ever clash. But in a showdown of power and skills, Bud Crawford will come on top, most times. But, there is always a chance for an upset.

What do you make of this hypothetical fight between Terence Crawford and Vergil Ortiz Jr.? Do you believe Crawford can handle the new generation of top fighters? Let us know in the comments below.