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Oscar De La Hoya is planning a big next step for rising boxing star Vergil Ortiz Jr., and he has two names in mind - Jermell Charlo and Errol Spence Jr.
Ortiz, fresh off his latest victory, is eager for a new challenge, but there's a twist: the potential collapse of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), the promotion company holding the rights to both Charlo and Spence, could complicate matters.
Ortiz Jr., with a perfect 22-0 record, recently won a controversial bout against Serhii Bohachuk, earning the interim WBA super welterweight title.
While the WBA titleholder, Terence Crawford, is unlikely to face Ortiz anytime soon due to his interest in bigger matchups, De La Hoya is looking to keep Ortiz active and in the spotlight.
Taking to social media, De La Hoya floated the idea of Ortiz taking on either Charlo or Spence.
He wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "@TwinCharlo or @ErrolSpenceJr for @VergilOrtiz before PBC sinks for good."
De La Hoya's comment not only hints at possible future opponents for Ortiz but also sheds light on a looming problem for PBC that could affect these matchups.
PBC's mounting debt puts fights in jeopardy
De La Hoya's ominous prediction about PBC's downfall stems from troubling reports about the promotion's financial health.
According to insider Rick Glaser, PBC is drowning in debt, with an outstanding $900 million it cannot repay.
The promotion, which boasts big names like Charlo, Spence, and David Benavidez, is facing major challenges as it struggles to keep afloat.
Glaser also revealed that the number of PBC events has dropped significantly, with only eight events scheduled for 2024, down from over 40 in previous years.
Additionally, PBC's aging roster, apart from a few names like Gervonta Davis, lacks the youthful talent needed to maintain its once-prominent status.
Further complicating matters, Turki Alalshikh, a key figure in boxing, has lowered pay-per-view prices for competing events, making PBC's high-priced offerings less attractive.
With fans seeking more affordable options, the PBC's financial struggles could spell disaster for its future.
Will Ortiz face Charlo or Spence?
With PBC's uncertain future, Vergil Ortiz Jr.'s options could be limited. Jermell Charlo, who has been out of action for some time, is expected to return in January, setting the stage for a possible showdown with Ortiz.
On the other hand, Errol Spence Jr. may soon face Sebastian Fundora, making him unavailable for an immediate bout.
As De La Hoya continues to position Ortiz for a major fight, the uncertainty surrounding PBC raises questions about whether these matchups will happen.
With PBC's potential collapse on the horizon, fans are left wondering whether they'll get to see Ortiz take on either Charlo or Spence before it's too late.