Sergio Mora believes that Michael McKinson could be the first fighter to go the distance with Vergil Ortiz.
The two fighters were set to face off in March but Ortiz had to pull out due to ill health, but they will now fight this weekend live on DAZN.
The welterweight pair are looking to move into title contention for the period after Errol Spence Jr. vs Terence Crawford, which is yet to take place.
Mora told The DAZN Boxing Show: “You know, he’s a problem, we know that,” Mora said of McKinson.
“He’s undefeated, he’s very confident in his ability and he makes fights very ugly. Against Vergil Ortiz, a monster, a Texan fighting in Texas in front of Texan judges with Texan fans, the problem is Michael McKinson is going to need more than being cute and looking for pop shots. I think against Vergil Ortiz, the power’s going to be too much.
“He’s going to have to get respect, I don’t see it happening on this level.”
Mora, nevertheless, pointed out where McKinson may have a chance, due to Ortiz’s “inactivity, the fact that he was dealing with sickness, in his last fight he got rocked.
“If [McKinson] gets it, he’s going to get it late. He’s going to have to earn it. But I think I’m going to go with McKinson losing by decision.
“I think he’s going to go all the way. I think he’s the first one to go all the way with Ortiz and that’s going to be a notch on his belt. He may not win.”