The old dog with new tricks: Keith Thurman’s punching force is a threat to Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Coach Greg Hackett believes that the potential Vergil Ortiz jr. Against Keith Thurman battle in October is a ’50 -50 ‘. He says veteran Thurman (31-1, 23 COs) will not lose and still has his punching power at 36.

Hackett says he doesn’t see this battle as one that Ortiz Jr. (23-0.21 COs) will prepare for a possible battle against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis for early 2026. Boots and Thurman have completely different fighting styles, and there is a great age difference.

Thurman’s veteran power and artificiality

“If you beat Keith Thurman, it’s a good win, but Vergil must be careful. Thurman is a veteran and smart, and he can still hit, ‘Greg Hackett says IceM Sports Media About what Vergil Ortiz jr. Facing it, fighting against Keith Thurman.

This is potentially a dangerous battle for Vergil jr. Because former WBA and WBC welterweight champion Thurman still has just as much power as he did during the first time of his career. What he misses is his speed, reflexes and his mobility. His last fight against Brock Jarvis in 2024 showed that he had lost a lot of his game, but now power.

“It doesn’t prepare you for any other struggle because all these guys are different,” Hackett said when asked if Thurman Vergil jr. Will prepare for a collision against Jaron Ennis. “Boots and Thurman, they don’t fight anything.”

Greg is right. ‘Boots’ Ennis and Thurman are nothing the same. The only benefits that Ortiz Jr. Out of ‘once’ fight is the payday and to stay active. It just beats to sit and wait until the Ennis fights in 2026.

50-50 Ortiz-Thurman forecast

‘It’s 50-50. Vergil gained the momentum that he beat Madrimov and Thurman; He is Keith Thurman, ‘says Hackett.’ You never know what you’re going to get with Thurman. One thing we do know is that he is not going to lose. So, I’m going to say it’s a 50-50 fight. “

Hackett gives Thurman too much respect. It is not a “50-50” fight between Keith and Ortiz Jr. Thurman doesn’t have a puncher’s chance, but that’s it. Otherwise, it’s going to be a one -sided competition with Vergil Jr. which easily defeated Thurman. This is a big step in the competition for Vergil Jr. Some of his attacks against Israel Madrimov and Serhii Bohachuk.

“The Madrimov fight gave Gift the confidence that he could take him down. It’s not Keith Thurman. He’s not going to run like that. He’s not going to move like that. He’s going to move, but he’s going to set fire,” Hackett said.

It’s not that Thurman won’t try to move. He just didn’t have the wheels he had eight years ago, but even at the time it would not have prevented Ortiz Jr. Does not run him down. Shakur Porter and Danny Garcia both gave Thurman problems with their pressure. Ortiz jr. Is bigger than those guys and more relentless.