Vergil Ortiz came out on top in a fight of the year contender as he defeated Serhii Bohachuk to win the WBC interim super-welterweight title.
It was an incredible back and forth battle between the two men, which saw Ortiz recover from being dropped twice, the first times he has been down in his professional career.
Ortiz had been dropped in round one of the contest, but it was ruled a slip. Instant replay was then used before the start of round five, and it was overruled to be a knockdown, in a rare display not usually seen in boxing.
The second knockdown came in round eight, with this one much more clear, but Ortiz did well to recover and land a number of big shots on Bohachuk.
Ortiz ended the fight the stronger of the two men, and after the fight went the 12-round distance at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, the judges scored it 114-112, 114-112 and 113-113 in the favour of Ortiz, handing him the majority decision victory to extend his unbeaten record to 22-0.
It was the first time that Ortiz has failed to win a fight by stoppage, while Bohachuk suffered the second loss of his career and takes his record to 24-2.
The victory could potentially pave the way for a showdown with new WBA super-welterweight champion Terence Crawford, and Ortiz feels he’s proven that he is the number one in the division.
“I proved everyone wrong that said I’m washed, I can’t fight at 154, I can’t go the distance. All of that fueled me. I’m the best in the world right now, and I’m going to keep showing it.
“I’m ready for a challenge. I think Bud [Crawford] is probably number one pound for pound in the world and I want to show that I have what it takes to beat him.
“I don’t think those should have been knockdowns. The second one, for sure. I don’t make no excuses. Anyway, I felt like I did enough.”
A fight between Crawford and Ortiz has been mentioned by Saudi chief Turki Al-Alshikh, after he stated he was no longer interested in putting together a fight between Crawford and Canelo Alvarez.
As for the fight between Ortiz and Bohachuk, the Ukrainian was not impressed with the verdict when speaking after the bout, believing that he had done enough to get his hand raised.
“People [who] saw this fight today and who understand boxing know what happened today. I’m feeling great, I made two knockdowns. Come on, guys.”
Elsewhere on the card, Gabriela Fundora defeated Daniela Asenjo by unanimous decision to retain her IBF flyweight title, and Cecilia Braekhus beat Maricela Cornejo by unanimous decision to win the WBC interim super-welterweight title.
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