Vergil Ortiz Jr Edges Out Serhii Bohachuk in FOTY Saturday

It seemed nearly impossible that Vergil Ortiz Jr. of Grand Prairie, Texas (22-0, 21 KOs) and WBC Interim Super Welterweight champion Serhii Bohachuk of Ukraine (24-2, 23 KOs) would hear the judges’ scorecards on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Improbably, two fighters with just one decision between them in 45 fights battled, brawled, and banged out 12 brutal rounds of boxing that had fans at the Michelob Ultra Center at Mandalay Bay on their feet throughout the bout.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Serhii Bohachuk promised a close-quarters battle, and they delivered. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Despite scoring two knockdowns against Ortiz Jr., Bohachuk relinquished his WBC interim belt by scores of 114-112 from both Steve Weisfeld and David Sutherland and 113-113 from Max Deluca.

Years of Hard Work

Vergil Ortiz Jr. reacts to the scorecards, and hearing “And new!” Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Ortiz Jr. said the victory resulted from years of hard work dedicating himself to boxing since the age of five. “It’s been all business, and it paid off. I’m the best in the world right now and I’m going to keep showing it,” said the Texan of his victory.

Bohachuk shook his head upon hearing the results. “People will decide, and those who understand boxing know what happened today,” said the Ukrainian.

Both fighters were taken to a Las Vegas hospital for examination as a precaution. Both fighter teams emphasized their boxers “were fine” despite the damage each inflicted on the other.

Two Knockout Artists Go The Distance

Serhii Bohachuk landed 82 jabs to 76 from Vergil Ortiz Jr. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

It wasn’t any surprise that the fight would be a close-quarters battle, a display of offensive firepower, and a battle of will and determination. Ortiz Jr. wanted to prove himself to the doubters and earn a big-money title fight, while Bohachuk wanted to show he deserved more respect than his underdog status.

In this, both men won. Ortiz Jr. drilled Bohachuk repeatedly to the body and landed hard hooks and uppercuts that could have dropped a horse. Bohachuk walked through most of them and took the worst of them with barely a wobble.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. won the last three rounds to win the fight. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Bohachuk fought behind an active, vicious jab, and he landed more than his share of stinging shots on Ortiz Jr. What Bohachuk managed to do that Ortiz Jr. could not was to score two knockdowns.

The first came in the first round. Referee Harvey Dock ruled it a slip as Ortiz Jr. stumbled to a knee. The Nevada State Athletic Commission permits video review, and during a brief delay to the start of the fifth round, the replay confirmed a knockdown, not a slip.

Serhii Bohachuk scores his second knockdown in the eighth round. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Bohachuk scored his second knockdown in the eighth round, a flash knockdown as Ortiz Jr. stumbled forward off balance from a punch and touched both gloves to the canvas. He groaned as Harvey Dock administered a count.

At the end of eight rounds, Ortiz Jr. was behind on the scorecards 77-73, 76-75, and was tied 74-74 on the third. Ortiz Jr. rallied to win the ninth on two of three cards and the remaining three rounds on all three judges’ scorecards.

View from the Trainers

Both trainers felt their fighter had won this difficult fight. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Trainer Robert Garcia said he knew the fight was close and had to motivate Ortiz Jr. to finish strong. He believes Ortiz Jr. needed to go through a tough fight to prepare him for the opportunities to come, especially after winning so many of his fights after just a few rounds.

“He’s going to learn a lot. This is what boxing is, it’s not always going to be easy.”

His counterpart, Manny Robles, was emotional as he reacted to the loss. “I get sick and tired of this shit, how unfair they can be. They put their lives on the line just to get to this point. Officials don’t know what the fuck they’re looking at. Nobody holds them accountable.”

He asked why boxing judges don’t answer questions about their scorecards. Trust me, Manny, we’d love to interview judges, but they are never made available.

Bohachuk’s promoter, Tom Loeffler, was livid and didn’t hold back. “This one is a tough one to overcome. We’re not hanging our heads. Serhii’s stock went up, a lot.” Loeffler said that Bohachuk will have more opportunities in the competitive 154-pound division.

Talking Turki About Vergil Ortiz Jr.

In a surprise appearance prior to the main event, Saudi Entertainment Authority minister Turki Alalshikh joined Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya on the DAZN broadcast to discuss future plans.

Dressed in a plain black t-shirt, Alalshikh said he wanted to match Ortiz Jr. with Terence Crawford and add a fight between Shakur Stevenson and Golden Boy fighter William Zepeda to the undercard.

When former champion Tim Tszyu was mentioned, Alalshikh immediately dismissed him. “Tim Tsyzu is not in my mind now.” He also repeated his comments on social media, saying Canelo Alvarez is not on the map either.

“He doesn’t respond with what we think is good for boxing,” said Alalshikh, who said he plans to sit down with De La Hoya Sunday in Las Vegas and discuss their plans.

Mission Accomplished For Charles Conwell

Charles Conwell made quick work of Khiary Gray. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Super welterweight Charles “Bad News” Conwell of Cleveland (20-0, 15 KOs) made quick work of Khiary Gray of Worcester, Massachusetts (18-7, 13 KOs), scoring a devasting body shot knockout at 2:32 of the second round to cap off an impressive performance.

Conwell invested early in going to Gray’s body, who was there to be hit. Gray is sturdy and a big super welterweight, but Conwell is strong based on his wrestling background and his work ethic in the gym.

After just a few minutes, Gray decided quickly he didn’t want much more, backing up with Conwell hunting him down. He got in position to land a series of body shots, and it was the classic left hook to the liver that got it done,

“I’m going to keep doing this and blowing guys out of the ring,” promised Conwell. Asked when he knew he had Gray where he wanted him, Conwell laughed, “When he signed up for this.”

“I feel like this is my division; it’s time to claim what’s mine. Give me the big names.” Conwell said he wanted the main event winner, which turned out to be Ortiz Jr.

Sims Jr. Blasts Out Romero In Two Rounds

Kenneth Sims Jr. said he thought Serhii Bohachuk won on Saturday. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

“Bossman” Kenneth Sims Jr. of Chicago (21-2-1, 7 KOs) and veteran Jonathan Romero of Colombia, based in Las Vegas (35-5, 19 KOs), put on a fun, if one-sided, action fight. Sims Jr. lived up to his moniker by bossing Romero around and giving him a beatdown for five rounds. Romero tried to engage, but he lacked Sims’s firepower and speed.

Sims Jr. landed the hardest of multiple uppercuts at the end of the fifth round, but Romero stayed on his feet. Referee Robert Hoyle and Romero’s corner decided to call it a day after the round ended, giving the fifth-round TKO to Sims.

“I felt like I was making my professional debut again,” said Sims Jr. “Sparring is sparring, and to be inside a real fight was something I was really happy about. I felt great in being able to get my groove back and catch my distance with my gloves laced up again.”

Sims Jr. gave himself a harsh appraisal after the fight. “I didn’t think it was that good, I felt rusty. I was smothering myself a little bit because I’ve been off, it’s been a long time. I’m going to get better every time,” he promised.

Sims said he’d like to fight one of his new stablemates, Arnold Barboza Jr. or Jose Ramirez. He’s heard the rumors the pair will face each other next month, and he wants the winner. His second choice? New WBA champion Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela.

“Barboza and Ramirez better catch me right now,” said Sims. “Once I get back in the groove, they’ve got no chance.”

Gabriela Fundora Goal: Undisputed Champion

Gabriela Fundora is a killer inside the ring and boxing’s sweetheart outside it. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

IBF World Flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora of Coachella, California (14-0, 6 KOs) wasn’t able to extend her knockout streak to three against Daniela Asenjo of Chile (16-4, 3 KOs). But Asenjo, who came down in weight two divisions to take the fight, might have preferred a quick ending to the ten-round beating she endured from the talented 22-year-old champion.

Fundora won a unanimous decision with scores of 100 to 90 on all three cards.

Nearly from the opening bell, Asenjo was in survival mode as Fundora drilled her repeatedly with some of the hardest left hooks and power shots in women’s boxing. By the fifth round, she was beating the tar out of Asenjo. Her nose appeared broken. Nevertheless, Asenjo’s husband and trainer let her continue the fight, and she heard the final bell.

Gabriela Fundora had Daniela Ansenjo battered after ten hard rounds. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

“Asenjo was a good fighter. I got her with some hard shots, and she could last the ten rounds with me,” said Fundora.

Fundora landed 143 of 306 power punches, a 47% connect rate. Asenjo landed 46 of 246 power punches (19%), and few did damage.

Fundora now has her sights set on becoming a unified and then undisputed champion. “Undisputed is next for me,” said Fundora. “I want to break the record for the youngest undisputed champion. Fundora named WBC/WBO unified champion Gabriela Alaniz of Argentina as her target. Alaniz won the titles with a victory over Marlen Esparza in April.

“I feel like a fight against Gabriela Alaniz would be such an action-packed fight and good for me as well as for Golden Boy,” said Fundora. No kidding. ANY Fundora fight is action-packed.

Joel Iriarte Keeps Impressing

Joel Iriarte came close to driving Miguel Ortiz right through the ropes. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Promising prospect Joel Iriarte of Bakersfield, California (4-0, 4 KOs) wasted no extra effort, taking out Miguel Ortiz of Massachusetts (3-2, 1 KO) in the first round.

Iriarte buzzed Ortiz with a left hook halfway through the opening round, then backed him into the ropes and teed off. Ortiz nearly fell through them from the force of the power punishing. Referee Michael Ortega prevented it from happening, stopping the fight at 2:18 of the round.

Keep your eye on the Bakersfield kid. Golden Boy is wasting no time with Iriarte, who they hope can make noise in the open welterweight division. This is Iriarte’s fourth bout in five months, but he’s only fought a total of six rounds