It was a true baptism by fire for Vergil Ortiz Jr., who scored a 12-round majority decision triumph over Serhii Bohachuk at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday. The official scores were 114-112, 114-112 and 113-113.
WATCH: Serhii Bohachuk vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr., live on DAZN
Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 knockouts) suffered knockdowns in the first (confirmed via instant replay) and eighth rounds, so there was real urgency throughout the American’s first distance fight. As was needed, the talented boxer-puncher responded ferociously and stunned his opponent several times in a classic encounter.
“I proved everyone wrong that said I was washed; that I can’t fight at 154, that I can’t go the distance,” Ortiz Jr. said during his post-fight interview with DAZN. “I read all those comments and all of that fueled me.
“I’m the best in the world right now and I’m gonna keep showing it.”
There was a beautiful counter right and a left hook to the body by Ortiz in the opening seconds of round one that sent a serious message of intent. However, the super-durable Bohachuk tucked up, marched forward and sent an off-balance Ortiz to the mat with a well-placed right. The referee ruled a slip but was overruled by instant replay later in the fight.
Ortiz got the jab going and the left hook did damage in the first half. Bohachuk played his part marching forward with a savage and relentless attack that was frequently met with blistering counters from Ortiz – uppercuts, body shots and huge rights landed with full force.
More frustrating for Bohachuk was that Ortiz was so adept defensively. The Ukrainian star struggled to land a damaging blow because Ortiz was keeping his hands high, moving his head and bending at the knees. Even when he had success, as he did in round four, Bohachuk was the one being nailed by eye-catching shots on the counter.
Periodically, Ortiz would abstain from the power punching attacks and go to the jab, and what a jab it was! He diversified that shot brilliantly and even the ones that went to the body landed with sickening impact.
In the seventh, Ortiz returned to the power play. He traded punches with his old sparring partner and the crowd was at fever pitch during the inside action. The prediction was that Ortiz would be tested like never before and so it proved.
The momentum changed in round eight when Ortiz was dropped by a quick left hook on the inside. The home fighter disputed the knockdown, but it was the correct call from the referee. Bohachuk smiled at his man as he rose to his feet and Ortiz went to work ferociously, hurting his man twice before the round was over.
A cut opened around Ortiz’s left eye in the ninth and the blood hindered his accuracy. Punches that were landing on the inside and the outside were now missing and he was also catching power shots from a dangerous fighter.
Ortiz’s pride seemed to take him to the inside in this fight, but when he returned to the outside for the championship rounds, he had real success. The jab set up a terrific two-punch combination that stunned Bohachuk, though the visitor dug deep once again and scored solid rights of his own.
The Ukrainian lost his shape in the final round and Ortiz was the one with the fight left in him. Again, Bohachuk came blasting back, but his momentum was lost when the referee stopped the action to fix loose tape on Ortiz’s glove.
What a fight this was!
Ortiz Jr. was a threat to the upper echelons of the welterweight division and has now put the super welterweight elite on notice. The 26-year-old Texan has superb ring IQ, quick hands and, despite going the distance tonight, he’s carried his power into this weight class.
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There’s been talk of a showdown with the new WBA 154-pound champ Terence Crawford, which must now be one of most attractive matchups in world boxing.
“Let’s do it, man, I want the challenge,” Ortiz stated emphatically. “I think Bud is the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but I’m ready!”
Whether that fight happens or not, a rematch with Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs) will be in high demand. The Ukrainian star performed brilliantly and earned a new legion of fans.
Serhii Bohachuk vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr. fight card
- Vergil Ortiz Jr. def. Serhii Bohachuk (c) via MD 12 (114-112, 114-112, 113-113) for the interim WBC super welterweight title
- Charles Conwell def. Khiary Gray via KO 2 (2:32); Super Welterweights
- Kenneth Sims Jr. def. Jonathan Romero via TKO 5; Super Lightweights
- Gabriela Fundora (c) def. vs. Daniela Asenjo via UD 10 (100,90, 100-90-100-90) for the IBF flyweight title
- Joel Iriarte def. Thomas Guillemette via TKO 1; Welterweights
- Cecilia Braekhus def. Maricela Cornejo via UD 10; super welterweights
- Eric Priest def. Luka Lozo via UD 10; Middleweights
- Johnny Canas def. Joseph Cruz via UD 4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36); Lightweights
- Jordan Fuentes def. James Mulder via UD 4; Bantamweights
- Jennah Creason def. Kelsey Wickstrum via UD 4 (40-36, 39-37, 39-37); Welterweights