Serhii Bohachuk Set For Saudi Showdown

Serhii Bohachuk may have lost his WBC Interim Super Welterweight title to Vergil Ortiz Jr. in a hotly disputed majority decision, but he gave fans at the Michelob Ultra Center at Mandalay Bay an impressive show, including the first two knockdowns of Ortiz Jr.’s professional career.

One of those fans was Turki Alalshikh, making an unexpected stop in Las Vegas after staging the main event between Terence Crawford and Israel Madrimov in Los Angeles one week earlier.

After his strong performance against Vergil Ortiz Jr., Turki Alalalshihk expressed interest in working with Serhii Bohachuk. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

After the fight, Alalshikh asked to speak with Bohachuk. He recalled the conversation in a recent interview with NY Fights.

“Yes, after fighting, Turki came and said, ‘You’re a good boxer. I like your style, and we like your boxing. I want to work with you in the future.’ And now he’s made me a fight in a very big show, Fury and Usyk, the best show at this time,” said Bohachuk.

The Ukrainian will fight Crawford’s former opponent, Israel Madrimov of Uzbekistan, in the co-main event supporting the anticipated rematch between his Ukrainian countryman, unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury of Great Britain.

Watch the full interview with Serhii Bohachuk below.

Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs) praised Madrimov (22-0, 21 KOs)  both for his amateur and pro careers. “He’s strong, he’s good boxer. And I have now have good show,” adding that his narrow loss to Ortiz Jr. makes him hungry to win on this international stage.

Training Mexican Style

Trainer Manny Robles and Serhii Bohachuk took a break to watch La Liga soccer in Guadalajara. Photo: Serhii Bohachuk/Instagram

Bohachuk spent several weeks in Guadalajara, Mexico, with trainer Manny Robles, who is working with Rafael Espinoza ahead of his rematch with Robeisy Ramirez on December 7. He is returning to his home base in Los Angeles after Thanksgiving and then travels to Riyadh after the December 7 card with Robles.

Bohachuk has enjoyed his stay in Mexico and his first visit to Guadalajara, where he says he feels at home. He met with the new Jalisco Governor-elect Pablo Lemus and attended a Club Deportivo Guadalajara soccer game with Robles, who’s a big Chivas fan.

“I like this city, I like these people, I like everything here,” said Bohachuk. “Good atmosphere, good people, and I enjoyed this game,” although Chivas lost to San Luis 1-0.

Bohachuk has lived and trained in Los Angeles and fought most of his fights in California and Las Vegas since 2017. Nicknamed “El Flaco,” it translates as “skinny” but is often used as a term of endearment, more like “kid.” Bohachuk says his style fits right in, and he feels at home among the competitive LA Mexican-style gym culture.

Serhii Bohuchuk is comfortable in the competitive Los Angeles gyms full of Mexican style talent. Photo: 360 Promotions

“People say, ‘You’re Mexican style, you’re Mexican guy.’ Really, it’s my style. I know this style, I like this style. I used this style in amateur boxing, and when I came to a pro career, (it was) easy for me.”

Bohachuk says he enjoys the sparring, and several of his sparring partners will come with him to Riyadh. “Mexican people, like Ukrainians, you know, are friendly, family, good heart. I like it for sparring. Here, we say Mexican guys have balls, you know, have courage. They are real fighters.”

Driven By Ambition for Better Lives

Serhii Bohachuk fights as much for his nation and his family as for himself. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Bohachuk notes that both Mexican and Ukrainian fighters come from poor backgrounds driven by ambition. He’s not the first to observe the hunger for a better life being a common factor in producing boxing champions regardless of ethnic origins.

“I have just one choice: boxing or jail. That’s it. In my region, it’s very bad,” explained Bohachuk, who says his childhood friends are now either in jail or using drugs. Bohachuk knew if he stayed in Ukraine, he would face the same fate: crime or poverty.

Instead, he chose to pursue being a champion and earning a living to help his family. He said he was never a good student in high school or college, but he was always a talented boxer.

“For me, it’s better second choice because I need to help my family, help my mother. Stay full champion and make money. It’s my goal, and now I’m here,” where Bohachuk says he wants to grow his fan following and win a full title.

Bohachuk vs Madrimov: Something To Prove

Israil Madrimov kept up the pressure on Terence Crawford in their fight in August.
Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

It starts with a victory over Madrimov, who has the same goal after his decision loss to Crawford a week before Bohachuk’s loss to Ortiz Jr. Bohachuk says he believes Madrimov won the fight with Crawford. He feels confident in his ability to defeat Madrimov on December 21.

“Interesting proposal with the best show,” said Bohachuk, who immediately agreed to the matchup. He likes the big stage and the opportunity to entertain fans with a great performance. “Why did they want to have a deal with me? Because I show strong boxing, hard boxing. You know, I have courage. I can show good fight.”

Bohachuk says he and Robles have watched his fight with Ortiz Jr. multiple times and talked about it. Rarely has Robles been so angry and visibly emotional after a loss than he was when Ortiz Jr.’s hand was raised instead of Bohachuk.

“He said, you won this fight. I won this fight. It’s 100%,” said Bohachuk, who has also been approached by many fans who agree. “A lot of people came to me, Mexican people, and say, ‘Before, I’m a Vergil fan. Now you won this fight, I’m your fan. You fight better. You won this fight. Mexican people who were his fans before, you know? It’s not just me, Manny, and (promoter Tom) Loeffler.

“I make two knockdowns. I won 12 rounds. I won the last round. I’m feeling this. I won this fight,” declared Bohachuk. It give him something to prove on December 21 against Madrimov.

Serhii Bohachuk scores his second knockdown in the eighth round against Vergil Ortiz Jr. Bohachuk said if he needs four knockdowns to win, he’ll do it. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

While Bohachuk respects Madrimov, he confidently predicts he’ll beat the Uzbek. Bohachuk believes Madrimov should have gotten the decision over Crawford, observing that Crawford’s power didn’t transition well up to 154 pounds.

“They have to deal with me because I’m showing strong boxing, hard boxing, you know, I have courage. I can show good fight with the best boxers. Now, with Madrimov, I’ll show a really great fight, and the people who know, who understand boxing, know this. It’s great!” said Bohachuk.

Bohachuk Fights For Ukrainian Pride

Serhii Bohachuk said his win over Brian Mendoza was for his native Ukraine. Photo: Premier Boxing Champions

Supporting his countryman Usyk in the main event, with the possible addition of current WBO World Lightweight champion Denis Berinchyk to the card, Bohachuk looks forward to entertaining Ukrainian fans.

“It’s very good. I hope a lot of Ukrainian fans, lot of Ukrainian people watch this fight. Me, Usyk, and maybe Denis Berinchyk. Maybe he’s doing this card. It’s a Ukrainian card!” said Bohachuk.

For the Ukrainians, victories provide a moment of national pride and raise spirits at a different time for their country after years of war with Russia.

Bohachuk expressed frustration and sadness over the dire situation in Ukraine, with the senselessness of the violence, the lives lost, and the effect on his family and friends. His own brother currently serves in the Ukrainian army. “It’s, you know, very, very bad situation. A lot of people die, young people. It’s stupid. It’s very hard for me.”

He says the hard life faced in Ukraine makes its boxers strong. “Me, I’m young and have hard life. Same in other people. Same Berinchyk. Same Usyk. When you win, you get money. When you stay a champion, you stay popular,” and the money keeps coming, explains Bohachuk.

Bohachuk vows he’ll be ready on December 21 with confidence about the outcome. He says if two knockdowns against Ortiz Jr. weren’t good enough, he’ll aim for four knockdowns against Madrimov.

“This show, this opponent, it’s a very big choice for me. I need to show my skills, I need to show me to the world. Maybe people don’t know who Serhii Bohachuk is? I will show who Serhii Bohachuk is.”

Usyk vs. Fury 2 will air on DAZN in the United States on Saturday, December 21. The pay-per-view cost is $39.95; no subscription is needed. Purchases made by December 4 will be entered into a contest for a trip to Riyadh for the fight card.