Vergil Ortiz names his favourite fighter, and it's not Canelo Alvarez

Vergil Ortiz is delighted to be training alongside his favourite boxer, Jose Ramirez.

The two fight in their respective bouts live on DAZN on Saturday night, as Ortiz takes on Thomas Dulorme, and Jose Ramirez comes up against Rances Barthelemy.

Ramirez is a former world champion while Ortiz is undefeated in 20, with as many knockouts, as he looks towards a title shot.

That should come against Tim Tszyu on August 3 if he gets past Dulorme tonight, but right now he genuflected over the fact his career has him keeping company with Ramirez.

“He has been my favourite fighter for a long time, and I was not scared to express that when I met him for the first time,” Ortiz told BoxingScene . “Out of everyone in my entire career, he has been the one who has given me the most advice in boxing and life.”

Robert Garcia, the pair’s trainer, explained that the pair dovetail well in the gym.

“I try to separate my fighters at different times so they could get their own work, but they like working together,” he said said. “Vergil started really early, Jose would come in half-an-hour after, so they kind of train together. They have a really good bond and have become really good friends.”

“I am always learning stuff off Jose,” added Ortiz. “Being at the press conference was no different. He really expressed how he felt, he thanked all of his teammates, something I failed to do in my press conference. Usually I know what to say, but I really didn’t know what to say, because I felt like I have said everything at this point.”

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