Vergil Ortiz Jr v Israil Madrimov - Tale of the Tape: Weight, height, reach, trainers, records & more

We analyse the profile and credentials of Vergil Ortiz Jr and Israil Madrimov as the pair get set to face off in a WBC 'interim' super-welterweight title clash in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This latest fight week in Riyadh features a number intriguing of storylines for a six-fight super card headlined by the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol rematch.

At super welterweight, Vergil Ortiz faces his second consecutive acid test of his world title credentials when he tackles former WBA champion Israil Madrimov.

Ortiz is seen as the future of the division while Madrimov is looking to reignite his career. A case can be made for both - but who will emerge victorious?

Vergil Ortiz Jr v Israil Madrimov - Tale of the Tape

	Vergil Ortiz Jr	Israil Madrimov
Age	26	29
Height	5ft 10ins	5ft 8½ins
Reach	70ins	68½ins
Weight	Super-welterweight	Super-welterweight
Trainer	Robert Garcia	Joel Diaz
Record	22-0 (21 KOs)	10-1-1 (7 KOs)
Last fight	W (MD) v Serhii Bohachuk (August 2024)	L (UD) v Terence Crawford August 2024)

Vergil Ortiz Jr - In Profile

Before any Vergil Ortiz Jr fight there is always a belief that we are about to witness something memorable.

The Robert Garcia-trained super-welterweight is moving towards potential greatness but his last victory, against Serhii Bohachuk, showed exactly what can take him to the top but what could prevent him as well.

Ortiz is at his happiest when an opponent chooses to meet him in the middle and trade heavy shots but his over eagerness to impress, please the fans and get the job done inside the distance creates a vulnerability about him.

Bohachuk and Ortiz’s next opponent Israil Madrimov aren’t worlds apart in styles but Madrimov won’t accommodate Ortiz’s desire to slug it out. On Saturday night Ortiz, the slight betting favourite, must prove patience is his best friend if he is to overcome the ex-champion.

Having squeaked past Bohachuk, all eyes will be on how Ortiz can cope with the technical Madrimov who won’t allow many opportunities.

Should Ortiz stop the Uzbek inside the distance it would send exactly the type of message he hoped to deliver against Bohachuk.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Doesn't waste shots	Doesn't throw enough jabs
Head movement	Too many power shots
Pressure fighter	Tries too hard
Overhand right	Lacks composure

Israil Madrimov - In Profile

To know how good Israil Madrimov is, to go back to last August when in his 11th fight he faced former two-weight undisputed champion and modern day great Terence Crawford.

Madrimov was never outclassed and for some should have got the nod over ‘Bud’ but his first career defeat deposed him of his WBA super welterweight title.

In hindsight it was an opportunity missed for Madrimov. Naturally bigger but too cautious flung Madrimov into two worlds which he didn’t know how to balance and use to his advantage.

On Saturday night the 30-year-old won’t have time to be cautious and will need to match the efforts of Vergil Ortiz or capitalise on the mistakes that are bound to take place such is the Texan’s style.

Before he faced Crawford there was an altogether different opponent in Magomed Kurbanov who could only last five rounds with Madrimov in March 2024. The Russian’s limitations were exposed and punished.

The super-welterweight division would receive a seismic shock if either man were to be knocked out or stopped. Therefore, everything points to this compelling contest going the distance.

This fight feels like a coin-flip fight but the work-rate and relentlessness of Ortiz could sway the judges verdict in his favour.  

Strengths	Weaknesses
Amateur pedigree	Doesn't throw enough
Technically sound	Overly cautious
Solid power	Doesn't make the most of opportunities
Jab to the body	Needs a good Plan B during fights