After almost 16 months out of boxing, the unbeaten Vergil Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KOs) returned in January, stopping Fredrick Lawson in the first round. Now, Ortiz is ready to return to the ring for the third time this year, something unusual.
This Saturday, August 10, Vergil Ortiz faces WBC interim junior middleweight champion Serhii Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) in a twelve-round contest live on DAZN at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
Vergil will be fighting his 3rd super welterweight fight against a boxer who throws a lot of punches and has an impressive record of knockouts.
According to the bettors, Serhii Bohachuk is made to order for Vergil Ortiz. Technically, Ortiz seems to have better boxing skills, and his footwork is excellent. However, I don’t want to be influenced by Ortiz Jr.’s first-round knockout win over Thomas Dulorme last April since the Boricua is a boxer in the twilight of his career.
I’m sure this fight will determine the course of Ortiz’s career in this weight class. Returning after 1 1/2 years and moving up in weight against slightly dangerous rivals worked well for Ortiz.
Bohachuk is a classic knockout artist who can end a fight with one blow. However, he gets hit a lot while he tries to land his shots. It will be interesting to see whether Ortiz Jr. carries his power from 147 to 154.
Bohachuk’s only loss was in March 2021, when Brandon Adams knocked him out in the 8th round of a fight he was winning comfortably. By going for a stoppage, Bohachuk paid very dearly that night in Puerto Rico.
If everything turns out as the experts have planned. Vergil Ortiz will continue his career as a junior middleweight, as he did as a welterweight.
Due to his health problems, Ortiz couldn’t stay at 147. I thought he had a lot to give us as welterweight, and I was convinced that he would continue at that weight. Unfortunately, his health prevented it.
I want to witness Ortiz in action against a dangerous puncher and see how he handles the big shots. I do not doubt that Ortiz’s skills package is much better than Bohachuk’s, but it will be interesting to see whether he can handle his power on Saturday night.
Ortiz should have faced Bud Crawford in 147 when the two fighters still competed in that weight class. I think that fight could happen next year at 154. Now that the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight is not happening, the next mega fight is Ortiz-Crawford.
