Vergil Ortiz Jr. hopes his next fight, against Maurice Hooker live on DAZN, will put him on a path to a world title fight.
Ortiz explained on Boxing with Chris Mannix that Hooker is his toughest test yet, despite a change in weight class for his opponent.
“Maurice Hooker, he’s probably the most dangerous fight to date in my career,” he said.
“He’s 31 years old, he’s in his prime, he’s just moved up a weight. Some people take it as a bad thing but really he’s coming up to 147 for the first time - he’s not going to struggle with the weight.
“He’s going to feel strong. He’s been a world champion before. I think all of that just adds to his calibre.”
The 22-year-old American is early in his career but told Mannix that he believes he has already done enough to earn a title fight.
“I feel like I’ve matured, like I pick my shots better. I feel like I’m bigger. I’ve been thinking smarter.
“A world title shot - that’s what I’ve been fighting for this whole time. My record is 16 and 0, and 16 knockouts. I have that perfect record to get where I am in my career, and I think that it’s only fair that I get my shot.”
Ortiz already knows who he wants to fight next: Terence Crawford.
“Without jumping too far ahead, I think it’s going to be Crawford. I don’t see why he wouldn't take it. I’m sure he’s more than comfortable with his ability to fight me. I think with him being Top Rank and me with Golden Boy, the fight is more than makeable. I’m number two with the WBO. there’s too many coincidences going on with that fight not to happen.”