Vergil Ortiz Says He Never Ducked Terence Crawford

Vergil Ortiz insists that he did not avoid fighting WBO Welterweight Champion Terence Crawford.

Ortiz is scheduled to take on Egidijus Kavaliauskas in the main event of a fight card on DAZN. The action will take place on Aug. 14. Ortiz’s WBO International Welterweight Title will be on the line.

Some on social media have expressed their belief that Ortiz, who is undefeated thus far in his pro boxing career, ducked a showdown with Crawford. Speaking to FightHubTV, Ortiz denied the rumors (h/t BoxingScene.com).

“If you’re lying, saying I said something, or if there’s something, if you’re just lying about something that I did, turning down the fight, which I never did, then I gotta say something. They’re making me look bad. They’re out there trying to make me look bad for whatever reason. It’s a lie. So I gotta clear the air.”

Ortiz doubled down on his response in a post on Twitter.

“Should I get [past] Kavaliauskas I’ll gladly fight Crawford next or anyone else Golden Boy puts in front of me. Remember Crawford himself suggested Kavaliauskas to me first which is what I’m doing.”

Crawford appears to be due for a clash with Shawn Porter. The WBO has ordered the title fight to happen. Top Rank Boxing’s Bob Arum says he’s working on making the bout happen in November. Time will tell if it actually comes to fruition.

As for Vergil Ortiz, he’s continuing his climb to a world title. Up to this point, his record is 17-0 with all victories coming by way of knockout or TKO. One has to imagine that a victory over Kavaliauskas would get him a title opportunity whether it’s the WBO gold or another world title. Of course, Ortiz doesn’t have the same promoter as Crawford, Errol Spence Jr., Yordenis Ugas, and Manny Pacquiao so it may be a bumpy road.