The big hitters collide on August 10 as Bohachuk defends against Vergil Ortiz Jr
VERGIL Ortiz Jr will look to get his career back on track when he faces WBC Interim super-welterweight champion Serhii Bohachuk.
Although Ortiz was originally scheduled to fight Tim Tszyu as part of the August 3 Madrimov-Crawford support card, the fight, at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, took place a week later as a separate event and show.
The Tszyu fight was an interesting prospect, as Tim took on a tough challenge shortly after losing his undefeated record to Sebastian Fundora. The nasty head wound Tszyu received from Fundira's wayward elbow hadn't healed enough, and doctors took the Aussie out.
He was left without his dance partner, Vergil, 21-0 (21 KOs), and was immediately compared to Ukraine's Bohachuk, 24-1 (23 KOs), who also fought on the Tszyu-Fundora card, defeating Brian Mendoza for the title he now holds. defends on August 10.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 30: Serhii Bohachuk awaits the start of the WBC super welterweight title fight with Brian Mendoza at the T-Mobile Arena on March 30, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bohachuk won the title by unanimous decision. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
The war was first floated as a direct entry on August 3 but the Saudi promoters were reportedly rejected. Undeterred, promoter Oscar De La Hoya decided to run with it himself.
There are a few storylines at play here. First, both men are known bangers. De La Hoya believes it won't go far, and he's probably right in that thinking.
Another factor is Ortiz's ongoing health issues that have prevented his saga from not fighting Eimantos Stanionis. Putting those struggles to weight, Ortiz eventually moved up to 154, where he now competes for the WBC Interim strap.
Interestingly, despite recording back-to-back first-round KOs of Fredrick Lawson and Thomas Dulorme, respectively, after a long absence from the ring, Vergil has yet to make the 154-pound weight limit.
He weighed 156 and then 155, getting close to a pound in each fight. Both were non-topical stories, so there may not be any concerns here, but, given his past, it's something to keep an eye on.
As for Bohachuk, the Ukrainian player has earned his place at the world title table. Now based in LA and promoted by Tom Loeffler, who directed Gennady Golovkin with his brilliance, Serhii has overcome one career defeat, residency issues regarding his right to fight, and the ongoing politics surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict to enter the main payday bracket. .
Getting hit in the head by Vergil Ortiz Jr, who is considered one of the sport's rising stars, is probably a welcome relief from everything else life has thrown at him.
Source link
