Final score: How Vergil Ortiz Jr beat Serhii Bohachuk for Fight of the Year

It was expected that there would be a fight for the Fight of the Year and it was successful. Super-welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr and Serhii Bohachuk traded 12 shots in Mandalay Bay leaving the fans in awe but the losing team was upset with the judges' decisions. Eric Armit he looks back at how the battle unfolded as he handed over his own card.

Round 1

There is no time to learn as the two start throwing jabs and rights shots. Ortiz was faster than Bohachuk and landed his jab home. Bohachuk kept tracking Ortiz and connected with a right that landed behind Ortiz's right ear that didn't look heavy but Ortiz went down on one knee. The referee stood up quickly and waved his hands to show that it was not a foul and did not count. There was then some good two-way action as both stood in the pocket trading hooks and uppercuts.

**Rounds two through four faced constant revision when Ortiz landed the first. It was a knockdown so the round was 10-8 for Bohachuk. I changed my points**

Score: 10-9 Ortiz

Score: 10-8 Bohachuk**

Round 2

It was toe to toe again in the second. Ortiz had a variety of hard landings to the head and body with Bohachuk landing a straight left but hunting for the head. Ortiz kept pounding Bohachuk with jabs and uppercuts. Both did a good job with their jab towards the end of the round. Ortiz had a cut on his nose.

Score: 10-9 Ortiz Bohachuk 19-18

Round 3

Bohachuk was once again hitting hard and firing straight rights. Ortiz focused on the body landing left hooks and throwing too much skin. They went toe-to-toe with Ortiz taking out Bohachuk but again had to land some hard hooks. They finished the round by throwing punches.

Score: 10-9 Ortiz TIED 28-28

Round 4

Bohachuk worked well with his jab and then put together a good combination of straight shots and hooks. Ortiz was working well and working. He used his jab and right hands to keep Ortiz on the back foot. Ortiz sent Bohachuk off the ropes but Bohachuk fought his way back and started using uppercuts that he hadn't seen in the previous rounds. The referee and the fighters were advised of the decision to recognize the first round.

Score: 10-9 Bohachuk Bohachuk 38-37

Round 5

Bohachuk landed another punch but Ortiz jumped forward showering his opponent with body shots forcing Bohachuk to the ropes and continuing to connect with short punches inside. The Ukrainian tried to back away to get a punch but Ortiz stayed on top of him, canceling Bohachuk's jab and hitting him with body shots. Bohachuk was at his best when he was able to fully extend his jab and rights but Ortiz was on top of him working inside and winning exchanges.

Score: 10-9 Ortiz TIED 47-47

Round 6

Bohachuk tried to create punching room with aggressive punches and instead of moving to Ortiz he also stuck to jabs. Most of the round was fought from the distance allowing Bohachuk to land a right cross that Ortiz lost in dramatic fashion. Bohachuk finished off Ortiz's guard piercing the round with jabs and hook hooks.

Score: 10-9 Bohachuk Bohachuk 57-56

Round 7

Looking to build on the final round Bohachuk again came forward behind his jab and fired straight rights. Ortiz was in the back and not trying to get inside where he had been in charge. He was not holding Bohachuk down and not letting go of his punches. Bohachuk was able to circle Ortiz with jabs and hooks. Ortiz came alive late in the round but came up short with his jabs not putting Bohachuk under any pressure.

Score: 10-9 Bohachuk Bohachuk 67-65

Round 8

It was a battle of jabs again and that suited Bohachuk. As Ortiz came forward Bohachuk caught him with a left hook that knocked Ortiz out and put both gloves down to stabilize which resulted in an eight count. Ortiz is very much against the count. The former Ortiz was back and as he came forward he was riding strong sticks and hitting shots from both hands and he went inside and knocked out Bohachuk but that one strike made it a great round for Bohachuk.

Score: 10-8 Bohachuk Bohachuk 77-73

Round 9

Once again, Bohachuk started the round with a lot of hard jabs and right crosses. Ortiz began to drive forward forcing Bohachuk into the ropes and landing body blows and rights to the head. Bohachuk was countering Ortiz on the way but Ortiz was scoring before backing off and allowing Bohachuk to use his jabs and rights. Close round but Ortiz just has the edge.

Score: 10-9 Ortiz Bohachuk 86-83

Round 10

At first Ortiz was in the back allowing Bohachuk to come forward and pepper him with jabs and rights. Bohachuk was coming in with lefts but Ortiz was using his quick hands to pierce Bohachuk's guard. He then went inside and supported Bohachuk as they faced each other trying to force the other back. Ortiz broke away and circled Bohachuk and pounded him with Bohachuk unable to cut the ring or land counters. Ortiz finished the round connecting with explosive lefts and rights.

Score: 10-9 Ortiz Bohachuk 95-93

Round 11

Both were working on their jab early in the round with Ortiz very quick. He got on the back foot changing angles and punching Bohachuk's guard. Ortiz then dropped his hands and fired a series of punches from hip level back at the target. He then attacked Bohachuk firing punches to the head and body as he came forward and finished the round with a strong attack.

Score: 10-9 Ortiz Bohachuk 104-103

Round 12

Ortiz danced around Bohachuk peppering him with jabs and the occasional right. Bohachuk was too slow to close and Ortiz was firing off both hands as Bohachuk struggled to get his punches out. Ortiz began driving Bohachuk back with lefts and rights and won the round.

Score: 10-9 Ortiz TIED 113-113

Official Scores: Judge Max Deluca Tied 113-113, Judge David Sutherland 114-112 Ortiz, Judge Steve Weisfeld 114-112 Ortiz.

Analysis

Like war it was great entertainment but it didn't solve anything. Sebastian Fundora is the WBC champion, Jermell Charlo is the retired champion and Ortiz is on the interim list so it's a normal situation in the world of the sanctioned organization. There is talk of repetition but even that will not solve anything. Errol Spence is ranked No. 1 in the WBC and Ortiz as interim Charles Conwell can move up to No. 2 without Bohachuk dropping to No. 2. This fight deserved a meaningful title shot but should be enjoyed as a great fight with or without the belt.