Errol Spence Jr. might have hinted at retiring from boxing. But it seems the sport is not yet done with the former world champion. To bring its plans to fruition, it appears to have found a savior. It’s none other than Grand Prairie’s own Vergil Ortiz Jr. The 100% KO artist is getting ready to face Serhii Bohachuk on August 10.

The 26-year-old, who has re-entered a multi-fight contract with Oscar De La Hoya‘s Golden Boy Promotions, however, has set his sights on targets way beyond the Ukrainian champion. After an eighteen-month-long break, Ortiz defeated Frederick Lawson and Thomas Dulorme in the style he was most comfortable with. It was time for a fight a notch above. A match-up with Tim Tszyu came for the August 3 Riyadh Season’s Terence Crawford–Israil Madrimov headlined card in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the Australian had to back out. On account of the injuries he sustained during the OBC-Amazon Prime fight with Sebastian Fundora, the medical team advised him to be on rest for some more time. For Ortiz Jr., it was time to move on.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. catches the ‘Big Fish’ before it vanishes forever

Members of the media caught the unbeaten star at the kick-off presser of the Bohachuk fight. One of the reporters asked for the time it would take him to headline an event at the famous AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, otherwise known as the home of the Dallas Cowboys.

Vergil Ortiz Jr., it seems, knew the answer beforehand: “I think the fight that makes that happen is the Spence fight. If he gets through Fundora and he’s healthy…we can run it at Cowboy Stadium.” As most fans might be aware, talks are in place for a match between Errol Spence Jr. and Sebastian Fundora. The former decided to move up a division after the loss to Terence Crawford.

Perhaps, what Vergil Ortiz Jr. means is that he is quite confident in scaling through Serhii Bohachuk’s challenge. So Spence Jr. would have to do his job of inflicting Fundora with a second career loss. The two can headline a big event—a light middleweight title clash in front of his home crowd in Texas.

There is nothing wrong with the idea. An Ortiz Jr.-Spence Jr. fight makes for an excellent pay-per-view fight. A heavy-hitter, an embodiment of the classic Mexican style of fighting, going against one of the fundamentally most refined boxers of the era should be a sellout.

However, it is easier said than done. First things first, both Ortiz Jr. and Spence Jr. will have to come out clear from their current challenges.

‘The Truth’ manifests in different forms and methods

In Serhii Bohachuk, the former meets a fighter with an impeccable amateur record. He has won nearly 95% of his pro-boxing bouts through knockouts. Then, the Ukrainian has been in the 154-pound weight class for some time. In comparison, Ortiz Jr. entered the division with the Lawson fight. So fans might as well wait and watch if the Grand Prairie-born boxer has the wherewithal to adjust himself in such a short span of time.

Now, coming back to Spence Jr., there appears to be another challenge. The former unified welterweight champion has hinted at finally hanging up his gloves after the Fundora fight. So it is too early to say whether he will extend his tenure in the sport after the potentially big payday with Vergil Ortiz Jr. attracts him.

Secondly, it will be foolish to rule out ‘The Towering Inferno’. It would do good to recall what he did in the Tim Tszyu fight. Will the 6-foot-6-inch-tall champion allow Spence Jr. a gate pass so easily? Nevertheless, if Ortiz Jr. and Spence Jr. finally make it through, it will be a dream come true for many fans. Especially for the Spence fans, as many would want him to depart on a high note.

What’s your take on Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s dream? Do you think it would come off easily, or does it still have challenges before it finally materializes?