VERGIL Ortiz Jr will look to position his barely wobbly profession again on observe when he takes on WBC Interim super-welterweight champion Serhii Bohachuk.
Whereas Ortiz was initially slated to struggle Tim Tszyu as a part of the August 3 Madrimov-Crawford assist card, this struggle, on the Michelob Extremely Enviornment in Las Vegas, takes place per week later as a standalone primary occasion and present.
The Tszyu struggle was an intriguing prospect, on condition that Tim was taking over such a tricky problem shortly after shedding his unbeaten file to Sebastian Fundora. The horrible scalp wound that Tszyu obtained from Fundora’s errant elbow had but to heal sufficiently, and medical doctors dominated the Aussie out.
Left with out a dance accomplice, Vergil, 21-0 (21 KOs), was swiftly paired with Ukraine’s Bohachuk, 24-1 (23 KOs), who additionally fought on the Tszyu-Fundora card, defeating Brian Mendoza for the title that he now defends on August 10.
The bout was initially floated as a direct alternative on August 3 however was reportedly turned down by the Saudi promoters. Undeterred, promoter Oscar De La Hoya determined to run with it himself.
There are just a few storylines at play right here. Firstly, each males are recognised bangers. De La Hoya believes it gained’t go the space, and he’s in all probability appropriate in that assumption.
One other issue is Ortiz’s ongoing well being points that curtailed his on-again-off-again saga of non-fights with Eimantos Stanionis. Placing these struggles right down to the burden, Ortiz finally moved as much as 154, the place he now contests this WBC Interim strap.
Curiously, regardless of recording back-to-back first-round KOs of Fredrick Lawson and Thomas Dulorme, respectively, after a prolonged ring absence, Vergil has but to really make the 154-pound weight restrict.
Weighing in at 156 after which 155, he’s getting nearer by the pound in every struggle. Each had been non-title affairs, so doubtless there are not any considerations right here, however, given his previous, it’s one thing to maintain half an eye fixed on.
As for Bohachuk, the Ukrainian has earned his place on the world title desk the laborious manner. Now based mostly in LA and promoted by Tom Loeffler, who guided Gennady Golovkin by means of his pomp, Serhii has overcome a single profession defeat, residency points concerning his proper to struggle, and the continued politics surrounding the Russia-Ukraine battle to enter the heftier payday bracket.
Getting punched within the head by Vergil Ortiz Jr, thought of one of many sport’s rising heavy-handed stars, is almost definitely a welcome reduction from every thing else that life has thrown at him.