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

Coach Greg Hackett believes the possible fighting Vergil Ortiz Jr against Keith Thurman in October at “50-50.” He says the veteran Thurman (31-1, 23 ko) will not lose, and has his punching power at the age of 36.

Hackett says he does not see this fight as one who will prepare Ortiz Jr (23-0,21 Kos) for a possible battle against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis for the beginning of 2026. Boots and Thurman have completely different combat styles, and there is a big age difference.

“If you beat Keith Thurman, that’s a solid victory, but Vergil has to be careful. Thurman is a former and crafted former and skilled, and he is still able to punch,” Greg Hackett told Sport media ysm About what Vergil Ortiz Jr. would be against, fighting against Keith Thurman.

It may be a dangerous battle for Vergil Jr. because former WBA and WBC WBC weight champion Thurman has as much power as he did during his main career. What he is missing is his speed, reflexes, and mobility. His final battle against Brock Jarvis in 2024 showed that he had lost much of his game but now a power.

“It doesn’t prepare you for any other fight because all these guys are different,” said Hackett when asked if Thurman will prepare Vergil Jr for conflict against Jaron Ennis in early 2026. “Boots and Thurman, they don’t fight anything alike.”

Greg is right. ‘Boots’ Ennis and Thurman are nothing alike. The only benefits that Ortiz JR gets from fighting ‘One Time’ is the payday and stay active. He beats just sitting around waiting until the Ennis fought in 2026.

“It’s 50-50. Vergil has the momentum of beating Madrimov and Thurman; He is Keith Thurman, ”said Hackett.“ You never know what you’re going to get with Thurman. One thing we know is that it doesn’t lose. So, I’m going to say it’s a 50-50 battle. “

Hackett gives Thurman too respect. It’s not a “50-50” battle between Keith and Ortiz Jr. Thurman has a Puncher chance, but there we are. Otherwise, it will be a one -sided fight with Vergil JR easily beating Thurman. It’s a big step down in a competition for Vergil jr of his bouts against Israil Madrimov and Serhii Bohachuk.

“Madrimov’s fighting gave Vergil some confidence he could walk down. Keith Thurman isn’t. It’s not going to run like that. It’s not going to move like that. It’s going to move, but it’s going to fire, too,” said Hackett.

Not that Thurman will not try to move. He does not have the wheels he had eight years ago, but even back then, he would not have prevented Ortiz Jr from walking him down. Shakur Porter and Danny Garcia gave Thurman problems with their weight. Ortiz Jr. is bigger than those men, and more without.