De La Hoya: Vergil Ortiz vs. Keith Thurman Talks Advancing
Oscar De La Hoya says Golden Boy is negotiating Vergil Ortiz vs. Keith Thurman for the David Benavidez undercard.
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Golden Boy Promotions is negotiating a welterweight showdown between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Keith Thurman for the David Benavidez undercard, Oscar De La Hoya said in a new interview.
"We're working out things with Keith Thurman," De La Hoya said. "It's not the opponent yet because things are being worked out but we're hoping that we can get Vergil's career back on track."
Golden Boy's promoter made clear the deal isn't done, but Thurman is the name on the table as Ortiz looks for his next fight. De La Hoya said he would have preferred a different matchup first, but circumstances forced his hand. "I wish it would've been the Boots fight but we can't keep our fighter idle for so long," he said, referring to Vergil Ortiz Jr.'s stalled pursuit of a bout with Brian "BoMac" Norman Jr., known as "Boots." With Norman set to fight Josh Kelly and Sebastian Fundora lined up for a different opponent, De La Hoya said Golden Boy needed to keep Ortiz active. "Keith Thurman is one guy that's always willing to fight the best, which is very cool," he said.
Why Keith Thurman Makes Sense for Vergil Ortiz
Keith Thurman gives Vergil Ortiz Jr. a recognizable name and a credible litmus test without the stylistic nightmare that a fighter like Norman or Fundora might present right now. Thurman is a former unified welterweight titleholder who has shared the ring with Manny Pacquiao and Danny Garcia at the highest level of the 147-pound division. For Ortiz, beating a name like Thurman keeps him relevant in a stacked welterweight picture while Golden Boy sorts out the bigger fights it actually wants.
De La Hoya also teased what could follow. "Imagine Benavidez and Vergil Ortiz," he said, raising the possibility of Ortiz eventually sharing a marquee card with David Benavidez on a regular basis. "I mean please, you'll sell out any arena, easy."
Betting Angle
Books haven't posted a line yet since the fight isn't official, but expect Vergil Ortiz Jr. to open as a solid favorite if the Thurman bout gets made. Ortiz is younger, operating at a higher output, and carries the kind of power that makes him live on every betting card regardless of opponent. Thurman, meanwhile, hasn't fought often in recent years, and bettors will want to see how he looks physically before trusting him as anything more than a live underdog. Until Golden Boy makes the pairing official, treat any numbers floating around as speculative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Keith Thurman official?
Not yet. Oscar De La Hoya said Golden Boy is negotiating the fight for the David Benavidez undercard, but the opponent and terms were still being worked out.
Why isn't Vergil Ortiz Jr. fighting Brian Norman Jr. next?
Oscar De La Hoya said he wanted that matchup but couldn't keep Vergil Ortiz Jr. idle while Norman faces Josh Kelly and Sebastian Fundora is booked against another opponent.
What event would Vergil Ortiz vs. Keith Thurman appear on?
Oscar De La Hoya said the fight is being discussed for the undercard of David Benavidez's upcoming card.
