The Last Crescendo: Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov: Live round-by-round updates
The Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov round-by-round updates have arrived. Fans will be provided real-time coverage and live scoring of the upcoming interim super welterweight title clash between two game, ironhearted fighters. The matchup is a meaningful one for both men, albeit for different reasons.
Ortiz will enter the bout as the newly-minted interim WBC super welterweight champion. He will look to not only defend his title, but also preserve his pristine 22-0 record, which has seen him stop nearly every opponent he has ever faced but one: Serhii Bohachuk.
It is from Bohachuk who he captured interim WBC gold, and he will not want to lose the title to Madrimov, who is far more inexperienced at 10-1-1 and is coming off a unanimous decision loss to the great Terence Crawford. After all, an interim championship win is the perfect gateway to a true world title fight.
For this reason, Madrimov will be similarly motivated, especially to bounce back from his first-ever loss as a professional. However, the odds are not in his favor to emerge victorious on the card, with DraftKings Sportsbook regarding Ortiz as a -125 favorite, while Madrimov is a +100 underdog.
The event is scheduled for a 10:00 AM E.T. (Eastern Time) / 7:00 AM P.T. (Pacific Time) start time, while the matchup between Ortiz and Madrimov is expected to start at around 12:30 PM E.T. / 9:30 AM P.T.
Follow Sportskeeda for play-by-play analysis and live scoring of the upcoming super welterweight interim title fight.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov
Round 1: Ortiz starts off the bout by applying tremendous pressure, landing a good jab to the body. A jab up top lands for Ortiz. Madrimov flicking out his jab, but he's pawing and measuring. Body shots from Ortiz, who is keeping Madrimov against the ropes.
It's been all Ortiz so far, keeping Madrimov on the backfoot with jabs and body shots. While Madrimov is still moving well, circling and trying to get back into open space, it's just not enough.
Our Score: 10-9 Ortiz
Round 2: More pressure from Ortiz, with Madrimov stringing together body shots. A hook to the body lands for Ortiz, while Madrimov tries to keep the distance witht jabs. However, Ortiz backs him up to the corner, landing a quick two-punch combination as he stalks Madrimov.
A big uppercut narrowly misses Madrimov's chin. Ortiz is giving him no breathing room whatsoever, landing an uppercut to the body. A nice left thook lands for Madrimov, but it doesn't deter Ortiz, who contiues to pressure Madrimov, who answers with a body jab.
Madrimov tries to clinch, but Ortiz lands an intercepting right hand.
Our Score: 10-9 Ortiz, 20-18 Ortiz overall
Round 3: Immediate front-foot actiton from Ortiz, while Madrimov tries to land a one-two. A jab from Madrimov hits the gloves. Ortiz is looking for an opening, stalking him, but eats a right hand. He lands a left hook to the body, but is starting to trail on output.
Madrimov circles out of the corner, but Ortiz continues to stay in front of him, jabbing. Ortiz lands a jab, while Madrimov lands a one-two. It's a better round for the challenger, as Ortiz continues to search for an opening.
Our Score: 10-9 Madrimov, 29-28 Ortiz overall
Round 4: Ortiz storms out with an overhand right, but misses the mark. Madrimov continues dancing around on the outside, while Ortiz doubles up his jab. Ortiz tries to land a short left hook, but Madrimov was wise to it. Jabs for Madrimov, who continues to use his footwork and movement to puzzle Ortiz.
Nevertheless, Ortiz's pressure is excellent. It's his shot selection and lack of volume. Jabs from Ortiz, who briefly traps Madrimov in the corner, but fails to land anything significant. An uppercut lands for him out in the open. They trade jabs, with Madrimov landing an overhand right and uppercut.
He's still moving well, but is pausing more between bounces. Ortiz continues stalking, but again, lacks the activity.
Our Score: 10-9 Madrimov, 38-38 overall
Round 5: More pressure from Ortiz, who get sniped by Madrimov's jab. His pressure isn't as aggressive as before, and he seems to be more calcuulated now, while Madrimov lands some jabs and one-twos. A stiff jab finds a home for Ortiz, who has Madrimov trapped in the corner.
Ortiz unloads a combination, but lands partially. Sniping counters from Madrimov, who is reddening Ortiz's nose. More counters from Madrimov, who is finding openings in Ortiz's guard.
Our Score: 10-9 Madrimov, 48-47 Madrimov overall
Round 6: Ortiz with a jab and leaping one-two, backing Madrimov up to the corner. Madrimov with some quick counters, landing in-between his foe's guard. Madrimov may not be widely hailed as an elite fighter, but he's a tough outing for anyone.
Swinging hooks for Madrimov, while Ortiz is sticking to him, touching Madrimov to the body and intercepting him with jabs. Ortiz with a short hook to the body. Madrimov now has Ortiz against the ropes, but the referee pauses the action due to a shoulder to the head from Madrimov.
He issues a warning and the fight resumes. A good combination for Madrimov, but a sneaky body shot lands for Ortiz. Right hand for Ortiz, and they trade shots. A good body shot from Ortiz lands, followed by an uppercut.
Our Score: 10-9 Ortiz, 57-57 overall
Round 7: Ortiz on the front foot again, but Madrimov with a sneaky combinatiton. Ortiz lands as well, but Madrimov counters him with another combination. This an extremely competitive fight. They end up in the clinch, but break. Madrimov with another combination, while Ortiz lands to the body.
Despite Madrimov's activity, he lacks the power to hurt Ortiz, who continues to march forward. He lands a hard hook to the body, while Madrimov unleashees an overhand right. Madrimov with a one-two, and Ortiz responds with a jab to the body.
More jabs from Ortiz.
Our Score: 10-9 Madrimov, 67-66 Madrimov overall
Round 8: Ortiz with heavy pressure as always, backing Madrimov up. Ortiz leaps in with a combination, countering him witth a right crorss. Madrimov is provingg difficult to hit, though. A one-two for Madrimov, who also lands to the body. However, Ortiz doesn't fear his power at all and keeps him pinned to the ropes.
Ortiz lands a hard jab and draws Madrimov into a fiery exchange in the corner. A big right hand lands for Ortiz. A one-two from Madrimov lands on the gloves. He's slowed down just a bit, but he's now pushing Ortiz back. However, Ortiz wastes no time in reasserting his pressure.
Our Score: 10-9 Ortiz, 76-76 overall
Round 9: Ortiz backing Madrimov up, flicking out his jab. A sneaky body shot lands for Ortiz, briefly buckling Madrimov's knees. A few more body shots may fully change the trajectory of this fight. Ortiz with a slick right hand around Madrimov's guard. Madrimov has tired and is no longer countering the way he used to.
A big body shot from Ortiz lands with a thud. More body shots from Ortiz, as Madrimov is slowing down. Big body shots from Ortiz, who follows up with an overhand right, prompting Madrimov to clinch. Madrimov is slowing down massively. He's no longer countering.
A massive body shot from Ortiz causes Madrimov to back up and tuck his elbows to his sides. Madrimov throws back, but Ortiz just walks him down, landing to the body again. A jab and uppercut from Ortiz lands to the body as he unloads a vicious combination.
Our Score: 10-9 Ortiz, 86-85 Ortiz overall
Round 10: Madrimov opens the round with a big overhand right. Madrimov is on the front foot, trapping Ortiz against the ropes, landing a big uppercut to thee body. However, Ortiz batters him to the body with two uppercuts. More uppercuts to the body from Ortiz. Madrimov is pressuring Ortiz now, fighting more offensively.
An uppercut from Madrimov lands to the body. The referee pauses the action to warn Madrimov of a headbutt. The fight resumes and both men trade openly, with Madrimov backing him up, while Ortiz blasts Madrimov to the body. A left hook from Madrimov lands, followed by an overhand right.
Ortiz responds in kind, forcing a clinch. A snappy jab from Ortitz lands, while Madrimov starts winging hooks.
Our Score: 10-9 Madrimov, 95-95 overall
Round 11: Ortiz with a big body shot. However, Madrimov is still on the front foot, landing a sneaky check hook. Another left thook from Madrimov. This is a very competitive fight. Ortiz fires back with a counter-right to answer a Madrimov left hand. Madrimov is showing tremendous heart. He's tired but fighting hard.
Both men measuring each other, looking for openings. Ortiz lands a quick jab and body shot. Madrimov with a big left hook. They clinch and break, with Ortiz landing body shots and an uppercut. A left hook lands for Madrimov, who is proving his mettle.
Our Score: 10-9 Madrimov, 105-104 Madrimov overall
Round 12: Both men meet in the center, but they clinch. Ortiz with some good body shots, which Madrimov answers back in kind, but he lacks Ortiz's conviction. A massive uppercut from Ortiz lands to the body, while Madrimov lands to the head. Another big body shot from Ortiz.
Madrimov lands a right hand, backing Ortiz up to the ropes. A one-two partially lands for Madrimov. They clinch and Madrimov shoves Ortiz to the ropes, drawing another warning from the referee. Ortiz with a good hook. Madrimov is launching himself into range with bombs, but Ortiz counters him.
Our Score: 10-9 Ortiz, 114-114 draw
Official Result
Vergil Ortiz Jr. def. Israil Madrimov via unanimous decision (117-111, 115-113, 115-113)