Ortiz Jr. Beats Bohachuk Despite Two Knockdowns – Was It A Robbery?
Vergil Ortiz Jr. survived two knockdowns to win a controversial majority decision against Serhii Bohachuk.
The WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Clash means Ortiz is now mandatory for Sebastian Fundora, who holds the full title alongside the WBO. The fight began at an intense pace. Ortiz landed a counter right hand, followed by a left hook to the midsection, as he immediately went after Bohachuk.
The champion was undeterred as he tucked his body into a defensive position. As he did so, he responded with his right hand, which sent Ortiz to the canvas. While it was declared a slip, the decision was later overruled by an instant replay, giving Bohachuk a huge 10-8 round.
Fast Start
Ortiz refused to let that shake him up. He had a strong second round, landing an uppercut followed by more bodywork. The plan was to slow his man down. Ortiz was throwing more and appeared to get the better in the exchanges, but his opponent was unfazed. Ortiz’s jab and left hook were particularly useful. However, Bohachuk continued to march forward, as he was having success with his inside game.
In round six, Bohachuk caught Ortiz with a peach of a right hook. Another right hand followed. While Ortiz hit back with an uppercut, neither man was standing down. After the halfway stage, the pace continued.
Neither Man Backing Down
Bohachuk’s corner felt Ortiz was showing signs of fatigue at the end of the seventh. The champion came out full force in the eighth, as he connected with a huge left hook that sent Ortiz to the canvas as his gloves touched the floor.
Ortiz came out throwing in round nine as blood was pouring under his eye. However, Ortiz had the better of it in the championship rounds. His jab set up a two-punch combo in the 11th that buzzed his opponent. In the final round, Ortiz finished stronger, as he took it on the cards: 113-113, 114-113 and 114-113. After his win, Ortiz called out Terence Crawford.
Post-Fight
“I felt like I did enough. I proved everyone wrong who said that I’m washed, I can’t go to 154 pounds and I can’t go the distance or can’t fight past Round 9. [And] I read all of those comments and all that of fueled me. I’m the best in the world right now and I’m going to keep showing it.
“As much as I want to say that people’s opinions don’t matter, they do. [And] I fight for the fans and it’s electrifying to hear the crowd watch me fight. I take people’s opinions into consideration but, at the end of the day, I just go out there and work hard.
“I don’t think those should have been knockdowns. The second one, for sure. But the first one, I felt I hit his foot or some[thing] but I make no excuses. Let’s do it, man. I’m ready for a challenge. I think Bud is probably No. 1 pound-for-pound in the world and I want to show that I have what it takes to beat him,” Ortiz
“I can say that the people who understand boxing watching this fight, they know what happened today. I am feeling great. I’m happy with the way I fought. I feel like I won. I had two knockdowns, I mean, come on guys?” Bohachuk
Full Card
Charles Conwell knocked out Khiary Gray in the second round.
Kenneth Sims Jr. stopped Jonathan Romero in the fifth round.
Gabriela Fundora retained her IBF flyweight title by unanimous decision against Daniela Asenjo.
Joel Iriarte won by first-round TKO over Thomas Guillemette.
Cecilia Braekhus won by unanimous decision against Maricela Cornejo.
Eric Priest defeated Luka Lozo by unanimous decision.
Johnny Canas won by unanimous decision against Joseph Cruz.
Jordan Fuentes won by unanimous decision over James Mulder.
Jennah Creason defeated Kelsey Wickstrum by unanimous decision.
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